TUI forced to cancel holidays to popular hotspot as Brits flee massive wildfires
TUI has cancelled all holidays to Rhodes as wildfires rip through the tourist hotspot.
No flights will depart for the Greek island up to, and including, Tuesday July 25, the travel firm said.
In a statement, TUI said: "The situation in the Southern part of Rhodes remains volatile and challenging.
"Due to this and considering the impact on local communities being affected, TUI has decided to cancel all flights and booked holidays to Rhodes for departures up to and including Tuesday, 25 July."
Jet2 have cancelled all passenger flights to the fire-stricken Mediterranean island until next Sunday, but will fly empty planes to Rhodes to evacuate customers.
Thomas Cook have also pulled all holidays to the areas of Kiotari and Lardos from today until Monday, July 31.
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Up to 30,000 locals and tourists have been forced to flee as fires have raged since Tuesday,
The fire has scorched swathes of forest and burnt buildings after breaking out in a mountainous area.
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Extraordinary scenes show columns of people hauling their luggage and terrified children while trying to escape the infernos.
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Hundreds of British tourists are among those running for their lives.
Mum of three Helen Tonks, of Manchester, flew into Rhodes on Saturday night with her three daughters and husband ahead of a two-week sunshine break.
She told The Sun: “There was absolutely no communication whatsoever.
"We got out here and were told our hotel was among those evacuated.
"They put us on a coach and brought us to a school in Rhodes old town.
"There are hundreds of us here. We’ve been put up in makeshift dorms in classrooms.
"Dozens are sleeping on mattresses on the basketball court in the gymnasium.”
British Embassy officials in the Greek capital Athens urged Brits to leave the area on Saturday evening.
The fires on Rhodes, that sits just off the coast of Turkey, came as Greece battled a prolonged spell of extreme heat.
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Firefighters, backed by aircraft water-bombers and reinforcements from Slovakia battled three fronts on Sunday.
