Shocked family demand answers from TUI after flying to Rhodes as a forest fire raged on the island, only to be stranded at the airport sleeping on the ground with thousands of tourists
A British family has shared their horrific experiences in Greece after saying their travel agency flew them to Rhodes despite bushfires raging across the island.
Jess Bailey, a councilor from Devon, flew to the island from Bristol Airport on July 22 with her husband and two daughters, 11 and 15.
She said the family was thrown into chaos at the airport as wildfires have caused the largest evacuation in the country’s history.
Speak against Devon Liveshe said, “After much loitering, we were taken to the evacuation center.”
She added: ‘Why has TUI flown us and hundreds of other people over while hotels are being cut off by bushfires? We spent the night with hundreds of thousands of Britons in the Rhodes evacuation center and I didn’t sleep a wink.
“We have had totally useless communication from TUI. They emailed at 4:30 am and said, “You may have a bit of a delay at the airport,” and that I can arrange my own transportation to our hotel.’
Jess Bailey (bottom right) flew to Rhodes with her family on Saturday
Wildfires burn forests in Rhodes, Greece, in this photo obtained from social media, July 23
TUI says they have representatives on the ground to work with local authorities and help manage the logistics of people and food.
But vacationers trapped in Rhodes describe the scenes at the airport as “absolute pandemonium.”
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.
Distressed holidaymakers, including young children, have been pictured lying on the ground at Rhodes airport.
Others stared anxiously at the departure board as they tried to flee the “apocalyptic” island.
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.
Newlywed Andrew Brittan, 27, and his wife Emily traveled from the East Midlands to Rhodes for their honeymoon yesterday, not knowing it was going to be a holiday from hell.
“I spent the first night of my honeymoon on a mattress outside,” Andrew told MailOnline from a shelter where generous locals donate mattresses to terrified tourists.
Stuck in a makeshift evacuation center in the blazing heat with “hundreds” of other tourists, other Britons desperately try to escape the fire-ravaged island.
Destroyed vehicles are seen as wildfires burn forests in Rhodes, Greece in this photo obtained from social media, July 23, 2023
A forest fire burns in the village of Trapeza, in Achaia Peloponnese, Greece, July 23, 2023
Newlywed Andrew Brittan, 27, and his wife Emily spent the first night of their honeymoon on a mattress outside a makeshift shelter last night. They could not go to their hotel after arriving in Rhodes because it had already been evacuated
Mother Abi James was on holiday with her husband, their friends and the couple’s two young sons when they saw flames approaching their hotel and had to run for their lives.
The families, along with dozens of others, say they were told to stay. But Abi’s maternal instincts kicked in and they fled on foot — walking about five miles in 42-degree heat to escape the raging flames yesterday.
MailOnline has contacted TUI for comment.