23 July 2023 , 17:23
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EasyJet have announced repatriation flights from wild-fire hit Rhodes as Brits plot their escape.
Families are continuing to flee the tourist hot-spot as flames rips engulf the island, causing warzone-like conditions this weekend as officials warn things could soon worsen.
The airline will help more than 400 travellers desperate to leave the inferno return home by putting on two additional flights tomorrow.
It comes as rival travel firm TUI cancelled all outbound flights to the troubled Greek Island until at least Tuesday.
EasyJet said in a statement: "We know the situation for many currently in Rhodes is very difficult so we are doing all we can to help customers and provide assistance.
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People evacuated take shelter at a sports hall in Venetokleio (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)"EasyJet will be operating two repatriation flights tomorrow from Rhodes to Gatwick using an A320 and an A321 aircraft totalling 421 additional seats.
"This is in addition to the nine flights we already have operating between Rhodes and the UK.
"We will also operate a further repatriation flight on Tuesday and continue to keep under review if additional repatriation flights are needed."
Offering customers advice, EasyJet added: "Any flight-only customers who have been evacuated from their hotel and are currently at the airport should contact easyJet's airport staff.
"Any customers wishing to travel back to the UK early can contact easyJet's customer services team.
"We continue to advise customers travelling to and from Rhodes to check the status of their flights on Flight Tracker."
Tonight, TUI said that anyone due to travel on Wednesday will be "offered a fee free amend to another holiday or the option to cancel for a full refund".
The company said it has more than "300 reps, drivers and service colleagues doing their utmost" to help those people affected.
TUI added: "Those customers currently on holiday elsewhere in Rhodes will return on their scheduled flights."
This afternoon, officials said there are early indications of arson as a police investigation is launched into the horrific wildfires.
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Vassilis Vathrakogiannis, from the Rhodes Fire Department, told reporters that the blistering heatwave may not be to blame for the heartbreaking blaze.
He said: "Fires are set by human hands. Whether it is due to negligence or fraud will be seen (but) people have been summoned for statements and others will be summoned.
"As soon as we have complete information - because the investigation is in full swing, we will make announcements."
It could be "several days" until the fire service put out the harrowing blaze (AP)The total number of people evacuated or redirected due to the ongoing blaze is nearing 20,000, the Greek government has confirmed.
A member of the public captured the latest video from the island which shows two planes dropping hundreds of gallons of water across an affected area.
High winds forecast throughout Sunday have further hamper firefighters. They yesterday warned the battle to contain the flames, raging in the middle of peak tourism season, is likely to take several days.
The Foreign Office has advised travellers in the country affected by wildfires to follow the guidance from emergency services.
The British ambassador to Greece said a "rapid deployment team" had been sent to help the tourists.