…By for TDPel Media.
Families from the United Kingdom who traveled to the Greek holiday island of Rhodes are caught up in a dire situation as wildfires engulf large parts of the popular destination.
Evacuation centers have become temporary homes for many tourists, while some have managed to escape to safety on fishing boats.
Extra flights have been arranged to bring stranded tourists back home.
Chaos and Evacuation in Rhodes:
Thousands of British tourists who sought a summer holiday on the picturesque island of Rhodes have instead found themselves facing chaos due to the wildfires caused by the ongoing heatwave in Europe.
The fires, which began in the mountains, have rapidly spread closer to populated areas, necessitating mass evacuations of homes and hotels.
Jess Bailey’s Struggle:
One of the British tourists stranded on the island is Jess Bailey, a councillor from Devon, who arrived in Rhodes with her husband and two daughters.
Jess recounted the chaos at Rhodes Airport upon their arrival, where numerous TUI flights from different UK airports had landed at the same time.
They were eventually taken to an evacuation center, where she described the situation as chaotic with little information from TUI representatives.
Frustrated by the lack of communication and the precarious conditions, she even booked alternative plane tickets to return home.
Dan Jones’ Escape:
Another holidaymaker, Dan Jones, the director of sport at Torquay Academy, managed to escape the wildfires along with his family.
After wading into the sea, they sought refuge on a fishing trawler, which led them to safety.
Dan shared his harrowing experience on Twitter, expressing gratitude to the boat crew for their assistance.
TUI’s Response:
The British tour operator TUI is working with local authorities in Rhodes to manage the evacuation and support affected customers.
They have canceled outbound flights to Rhodes up to a certain date and are offering fee-free amendments to travelers scheduled to fly later.
The safety and well-being of customers remain the company’s top priority.
Efforts for Evacuation:
The British Embassy in Athens has issued evacuation orders for certain areas, urging tourists to leave immediately.
Additionally, a significant operation is underway to help tourists escape by sea, with the coastguard leading over 20 vessels in the emergency evacuation effort.
Conclusion:
The wildfires in Rhodes have disrupted the summer holiday plans of many British tourists, leading to chaos and evacuations.
While some have managed to return home safely, others remain stranded on the island, awaiting assistance and information from authorities and tour operators.
The ongoing crisis highlights the importance of effective coordination and support during such emergencies to ensure the well-being of affected tourists.
Read More On The Topic On TDPel Media
