The impact of the recent heatwave across Europe, have had a serious toll on the life of an average tourist. Italy, Spain, and Greece are most affected countries in this climate changes menace.
Greece recently recorded heated temperatures above 40C, which has caused fires to rage through bushes and islands for almost a week. Greece’s severe temperatures, dry weather, and strong winds have all contributed to the fires’ development, despite the fact that their origin is unclear.
The intensity of the wild fires have forced officials on the various islands to move out tourists from their hotels, as the fires began to move towards the eastern coast.
Approximately 19,000 people have already been relocated from Rhodes as a result of the wildfires that have affected the island for a week due to severe dry winds. According to the Spokesman of the Greece fire service, some 2,500 people have been relocated from Corfu, which is located some 1,027 kilometers away.
The British government however, ordered the evacuation of British nationals stuck in Greece, as wild fires continue to ravage islands. It has been anticipated that, over 10,000 Brits were lodging in Rhodes Island.
Moreover, traveling agencies and airlines in the UK, for the past weeks, have made arrangements for their clients to return to the UK, since there is no options, but to evacuate their hotels to a more safer locations like schools, airports, and sports facilities.
Three repatriation flights, controlled by Tui, began bringing in Brits to the UK on Sunday. A fourth flight left also transported other from Greece to the UK on Monday. It is expected that, two more flights will be landing in the UK, on Tuesday.
Travelers arrived at over five different airports in UK, and it has been reported that, more arrivals are expected in the coming days.
Four repatriation flights were booked for Monday night, according to Jet2 airlines. It follows the arrival of Brits tourists at Leeds Bradford Airport on Sunday evening. Both EasyJet and Tui airlines have postponed their departures for package vacations to Rhodes.
According to the British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, anyone who plans to visit the affected wild fire areas, should laisse with travel agencies or hotel authorities.
“British nationals in Rhodes should contact their travel operator in the first instance for any queries regarding the rescheduling of flights and continue to check our updated gov.uk travel advice for information.”
Rishi Sunak, Prime Minister of UK.
However, the British Foreign Office disclosed that, it has dispatched four Red Cross paramedics and six Foreign Office officials to the airports in Greece, to assist tour operators.
Claire and Paul Jones of Leicestershire, were transferred by bus on Saturday from the Village Rhodes Beach Resort near Lardos.
“It was really quite traumatic driving to where we went because you could see everyone fleeing their hotels, and people were walking along the beaches, walking along the roads, and they had babies and small children.”
Mrs. Claire Jones.
Also, honeymoon vacation was shortened during the weekend for the newly wedded Daniel and Luna Rolfe, who were escorted to the airport, as they were informed their apartment in the Rhodes’ Lindos neighborhood has been evacuated due to heavy smoke.
“It was packed. I couldn’t tell you how many people were there. We walked past quite a few rooms and they were all packed,” Daniel said.
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