Thousands of holidaymakers return to UK from Rhodes overnight as rescue flights continue
25.07.2023 - 13:35
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Thousands of Britons returned back to the UK overnight after fleeing from wildfires on the Greek island of Rhodes.
Three repatriation flights arrived at Manchester Airport in the early hours of the morning, with ten more scheduled to touch down in the next twenty-four hours.
Passengers also returned to airports including Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, Birmingham and Bristol.
An estimated 10,000 holidaymakers are staying on the island, where many were forced to flee their hotels as the blaze spread across the regions of Lindos, Pefkoi and Kiotari.
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On Tuesday morning Michael Gove insisted the region is safe for tourists to visit and revealed his plans for a holiday in the Greek Island of Evia next week.
The Housing Secretary told Times Radio: “My heart goes out to those who are affected but the advice is clear – if you follow the Foreign Office advice it is safe.”
The government has not issued guidance against travelling to Rhodes, though Rishi Sunak advised travellers to check with their travel providers if they plan to visit affected areas.
Yet as temperatures soar above 40 degrees across Greece and fires continue to spread, thousands are still stuck waiting at airports and rescue shelters for flights home.
Claire and Paul Jones, both 36, from Leicestershire, were moved on Saturday by coach from the Village Rhodes Beach Resort near Lardos.
Mrs Jones told the PA news agency: “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.”
Another man who landed at Bristol