British Tourists in Rhodes Facing Uncertainty and Disruption Due to Wildfires and Flight Cancellations

Holiday companies Jet2 and TUI have cancelled a combined total of at least five flights to Rhodes, with TUI also suspending all flights to the island until Wednesday.

The deputy mayor of Rhodes, Athanasios Vyrinis, has warned that some people are sleeping in cardboard boxes and that there are not enough essentials, such as mattresses and beds, for the evacuees.

According to officials, about 19,000 people have been evacuated by land and sea, and one family has resorted to sleeping on mattresses on a conference room floor.

Others are desperately searching for alternative accommodation, with some complaining about the lack of a plan regarding food.

Greece's fire service has apologized and warned that the situation could worsen, with a further 1,200 people set to be evacuated from three villages.

Rhodes has been battling wildfires fanned by strong winds since Tuesday, as Europe deals with a challenging heatwave.

While some airlines, such as EasyJet, have said their flights are operating as normal, package holidays to the island have been cancelled until Wednesday.

Ryanair has said its flights to Rhodes are still running and not affected by the wildfires.

British Airways has confirmed that its scheduled flight for Monday will still be running to bring tourists home.

Thomas Cook has said it currently has 300 customers in Rhodes, with 40 of them having been evacuated.

The company has cancelled all holidays in the affected areas scheduled before July 31, but customers who have holidays booked in unaffected areas of Rhodes will still be able to travel if they wish to.

Deputy mayor Vyrinis has said the situation is challenging, with people using cardboard boxes to sleep in and people arriving in Rhodes having nowhere to stay.

Lesley Young, who arrived in Lindos, Rhodes on Saturday morning, said she could not go to her hotel because it had been ev A state of chaos has ensued in the Greek island of Rhodes, as wildfires rage on, forcing tourists to flee for their lives.

John Miller, from Kent, described the roads as being gridlocked, while Simon Wheatley and his family, who are expecting a baby, had to evacuate their hotel in a panic.

"I haven't found a hotel for this evening," Wheatley said, adding that the family needed accommodation until Tuesday, when they are due to leave.

The tannoys across the hotel blared "immediate evacuation," urging guests to take only essentials and leave behind their belongings.

Wheatley and his family packed everything they could into one suitcase and left two suitcases behind.

Some hotel residents were waiting in sweltering heat for shuttle buses or taxis, while others were forced to wait for hours in 38C heat.

The situation was so dire that people were seen waiting with wet t-shirts over their mouths, trying to breathe more effectively.

"It was like a bad bonfire in November, you could not handle the smoke at all," Wheatley said.

The Foreign Office has advised travelers in Greece affected by the wildfires to follow the guidance of emergency services and to call 112 if there is immediate danger.

A rapid deployment team has been sent by the Foreign Office to help British tourists.

Andrea Layfield was initially evacuated by boat from a beach, where she witnessed thousands of people screaming and fighting.

One boat arrived and was only taking women and children, leaving Andrea and her friend vulnerable to the encroaching flames.

After being taken to safety, they were woken up at 01:00 by banging on their doors for evacuation and Wheatley said they could see the fire coming over the hill.

"It has been very, very scary," she said, adding that the air was "horrific" and causing her breathing difficulties.

The wildfires have caused widespread destruction, forcing tourists to flee their homes and hotels.

The situation remains dire, with authorities struggling to contain the blazes.

The cause of the fires is yet to be determined, but the authorities are investigating the possibility of arson.