Before and after satellite photos show the shocking effects of the Rhodes bushfires, as green rolling fields and mountains have been reduced to charred scorched earth.
The Greek island has been torn apart by a week of terrifying fires, forcing thousands of holidaymakers to safety.
On Sunday afternoon, as the first Britons began to arrive at Gatwick Airport, Greek authorities again warned tourists to flee large parts of Corfu as another holiday destination went up in flames.
There are large contrasts between the satellite images of Rhodes from January 2, 2022 and July 23, 2023.
A raging inferno has spread across the green hills and trees, leaving a trail of destruction and triggering the largest disaster evacuation in Greece’s history.
For a week, firefighters battled fires that broke out in peak tourist season, sending tourists into a panic and causing flights and holidays to be cancelled.
Before and after satellite photos show the shocking effects of the Rhodes bushfires, as green rolling fields and mountains are reduced to charred scorched earth
Smoke rises as Rhodes faces terrifying wildfires amid blistering heatwave across Europe, forcing mass evacuations
British tourists have also now been told to evacuate parts of Corfu (pictured) as another Greek holiday destination is devastated by bushfires
Hundreds of holidaymakers gathered at Rhodes International Airport, some trying to sleep on their beach towels as they waited for flights off the island.
Britons trapped in Rhodes describe the scenes at the airport as “absolute pandemonium” as they try to escape the bushfires.
Stranded families have told MailOnline how they were left ‘fighting for our lives’ to try to get onto boats as desperate tourists pushed children aside to force themselves aboard.
Tourists returning home from Rhodes warmly embraced those waiting for them at Gatwick Airport after successfully fleeing the terrifying infernos on the Greek island.
In Corfu, people in Santa, Megoula, Porta, Palia Perithia and Sinies have been told to evacuate to Kasiopi amid the devastating fires.
Holidaymakers in Rou, Katavolo, Kentroma, Tritsi, Kokokila, Sarakiniatika, Plagia, Kalami, Vlachatika, Kavalerena should now evacuate to Ipsos. And Britons in Viglatouri and Nisaki should flee to Barbati.
The government said on Sunday afternoon it is “actively monitoring the fires in Rhodes” and is in close contact with local authorities.
The State Department has deployed a Rapid Deployment Team of five staff and four British Red Cross responders to the airport to assist British nationals.
Rhodes wildfires have prompted mass evacuations as large swaths of the island have been engulfed in flames amid Europe’s heatwave
Wrecked vehicles are seen as wildfires burn forests in Rhodes, Greece, leading to mass evacuations
Wildfires burn forests in Rhodes, Greece. Thousands of holidaymakers are trying to flee the island
A Welsh tourist waits for departing planes at the airport, after being evacuated after a bushfire on the island of Rhodes
Concerned tourists wait for more information by staring at the departure boards at Rhodes International Airport amid the chaotic scenes
After rival airlines TUI and Jet2 canceled flights to the island, easyJet announced that two repatriation flights will be deployed to bring more Britons back to London Gatwick, but not before tomorrow. The airline will also send another plane on Tuesday, while Ryanair has not yet announced any cancellations.
Conor Cullen, 45, his wife Danielle, 41, and their two daughters, aged 11 and 13, say they have been left to fend for themselves. The frustrated family, who live near Belfast, were evacuated from the Princess Beach Hotel in Kiotari at 4pm yesterday and taken to Gennadi, where they, along with thousands, waited for lifeboats on the beach.
Mr Cullen, who works in business intelligence, told MailOnline: ‘When we made the decision to move Gennadi, last night was the big moment in the situation when we had to take the bull by the horns. No one came to save us. We had to take care of ourselves.’
His wife Danielle, a hairdresser, added: ‘When you watch a movie and you think that’s never going to happen. Last night it turned out that these things happen and we were really fighting for our lives trying to get on the boat.’
Mr Cullen said the situation on the beach was ‘like something out of a movie’. He added: ‘You could assume with young children that people were more accepting, but they weren’t. Everyone had their own situation and tried to impose themselves.
“They pushed children away. It felt like we had to get physical. We were lucky that a boat stopped for us. Then there was a sick lady who passed out in front of us, but others were still trying to impose themselves.’
The first Britons have arrived at Gatwick Airport with a relieved smile, while hundreds more are caught up in hour-long delays at Rhodes Airport
Holidaymakers Charlie and Shane Murphy-Jones arrive at Gatwick Airport from the Greek island of Rhodes as bushfires continue to spread, forcing thousands to flee
A man in an England shirt stands at the international arrivals gate at Gatwick airport after returning from Rhodes
The family, who arrived in Rhodes on July 15, were able to catch a three-hour boat to Afantou before taking a taxi to Stegna Beach, where they will wait until their flight to Belfast on Tuesday. After fleeing their hotel, they were left with two small bags and their passports.
Lowri Jones, from Crymych, Pembrokeshire, Wales, described scenes of ‘chaos’ at the airport after arriving last night. She told The Independent: ‘It was absolute pandemonium at the airport, with long queues of people trying to find out which bus they were on.’
Britons have been forced to wade into the sea and jump onto boats to escape the inferno, while others have been forced to sleep on the beach away from the flames.
More than 30,000 people were evacuated from Rhodes, while many others were forced to abandon their belongings as they took refuge in other resorts.
Those caught up in the chaos have criticized holiday companies for a perceived lack of help, as they were forced to rely on help from overstretched Greek authorities and well-meaning locals.
Now TUI says it has canceled all flights to the island until Wednesday, while Jet2 has canceled five, with empty planes still traveling to the island to bring tourists home.
As the plight shows no signs of improving, many are still detained, with Greek authorities warning that things could get even worse.
A UK government spokesman said: ‘We are actively monitoring the fires in Rhodes and are in close contact with local authorities.
“The FCDO has deployed a Rapid Deployment Team (RDT) of five FCDO staff and four British Red Cross aid workers to Rhodes to support British nationals whose safety is our top priority. They will be stationed at Rhodes International Airport to assist with travel documents and liaise with Greek authorities and local travel agencies.
“British citizens in Rhodes should contact their travel company in the first instance with any questions regarding flight rescheduling and continue to consult our updated travel advisory on gov.uk for information.”