Tourists anxiously await their departure at the airport, having been evacuated due to a devastating wildfire that ravaged the beautiful island of Rhodes, Greece. This ongoing crisis has led to over 2,000 holidaymakers being flown back to their home countries, while tour operators have been forced to cancel upcoming trips. As the fires continue to rage uncontrollably, residents are taking shelter, and the Civil Protection authority has issued a warning of the high risk of further blazes throughout Greece. This perilous situation has also caused the closure of archaeological sites. TUI, a renowned tour operator, has made the difficult decision to cancel all trips to Rhodes until Friday, offering affected travelers the option to either cancel or reschedule their bookings free of charge. They have revealed that there were 39,000 customers on the island as of Sunday evening. In an attempt to bring tourists back to their home countries, TUI has deployed six additional planes to fly them back to Britain and Germany.
The Greek islands are exceptionally popular among sun-seeking tourists from Europe during the summer, particularly attracting a large number of British and German visitors. The Dutch foreign ministry has issued a travel warning for Rhodes, as well as Corfu and Evia, two other islands where wildfires have erupted. Thousands of people in Rhodes were forced to evacuate their homes and hotels over the weekend, as the fire rapidly approached coastal resorts in the southeast. Remarkably, the fire brigade has been tirelessly working since Tuesday, with reinforcements being sent from Athens to assist in the firefighting efforts under extremely challenging conditions caused by the intense heat.
The Greek coastguard has also been actively patrolling the coastline, and some tourists were safely evacuated by sea. The Greek government has stated that this is the largest evacuation ever conducted in the country. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis addressed the parliament, stating the need for constant vigilance and describing the situation as a battle. He assured the nation that they will rebuild what has been lost and compensate those who have suffered. He also emphasized that the climate crisis is already evident and will bring even greater disasters to the Mediterranean region.
Throughout Sunday and until Monday afternoon, a total of 2,115 tourists were flown back to their home countries, predominantly to Britain, Germany, and Italy, on 17 flights, according to the Greek transport ministry. Speaking about their harrowing ordeal, German tourists at Cologne-Bonn Airport shared their stories of holidays turned into nightmares. One traveler, Violetta Kaczmarzyk, described how her family had to walk 11 kilometers to safety, enduring extreme heat and relying on the kindness of locals who offered them water. Despite the distressing experiences, many expressed relief at having escaped the fires.
Unfortunately, for local residents, the turmoil continues. In the southern resort of Kiotari, the empty beach was shrouded in smoke, and a burnt Greek flag hung above a destroyed truck. Fearful for their homes, many residents sought shelter at a nearby restaurant. Some residents took matters into their own hands and used seawater to battle the flames, filling a large tank on a truck. Lanai Karpataki, a local resident, pleaded for assistance, stating that the situation is dire and will worsen in the coming days.
Tour operators such as TUI, easyJet, Jet2, and Air France have made efforts to accommodate the affected tourists by arranging extra flights. Ryanair’s Chief Executive, Michael O’Leary, confirmed that there were no cancellations of flights to Rhodes over the weekend, as the fires were primarily concentrated in the southern part of the island, while the airport and most resorts were located in the north. The impact of the wildfires on the tourist industry is a significant concern for Greece. With tourism contributing to 18% of the country’s GDP and employing one in five individuals, the repercussions could be devastating. Moody’s ratings agency released a report warning that heatwaves and their potential long-term effects may decrease the attractiveness of southern Europe as a tourist destination, particularly during the summer, thereby harming the regional economy.
The situation on the Greek island of Rhodes remains critical, with wildfires still raging and additional outbreaks occurring across the country. Thousands of people have been displaced, and the destructive fires have left a profound impact on both tourists and local residents. The Greek government, tour operators, and international agencies are working tirelessly to support those affected and address the challenges posed by the ongoing heatwave and climate crisis.
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