The mayor of an island hit by evacuation after wildfires raged out of control has made an appeal directly to UK holidaymakers. Holidaymakers described scenes of pandemonium as emergency alerts were issued as clouds of smoke billowed over resorts on the island of Kos.
Holiday operators told tourists they were waiting on further information from authorities before they could advise customers. It is understood the majority of people were allowed to return to their hotels and resorts in the early hours of Tuesday morning but have been told to avoid the area of Kardamena while the fires are brought under control. Some spoke of sleeping on football pitches as they were evacuated.
People were relocated to parks, schools and a football stadium. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in a cabinet meeting noted that the upcoming summer season “is predicted to be particularly dangerous” in terms of wildfire risk. Greece has been hit by 52 wildfires over the past week, with 44 being successfully contained early on.
The Mayor of Kos has assured holidaymakers the destination will do everything possible to ensure their safety following the wildfire in a new statement. In a letter to the Greek National Tourism Organisation in the UK, Mayor Theodosis Nikitaras said feedback from holidaymakers who have since returned to the resort was ‘positive’ and there is no damage to the town.
“Nonetheless, please inform us if there are any concerns or problems with your clients, whether they are already on the island or not. We are here to support you and to ensure that both your clients already on the island will continue to enjoy their holidays and those planning to come in the coming days feel confident that they will have a wonderful summer vacation.
“Yesterday, the village of Kardamaina [Kardamena], one of the most beautiful places on our island, had to be temporarily evacuated to ensure everyone’s safety due to a nearby fire. We fully understand that this interrupted the holidays and plans of many visitors. However, thanks to the immediate mobilisation of the authorities, the citizens, and the effective operation of the firefighting mechanisms, we successfully followed our predetermined plans and kept everyone safe.
“The Municipality of Kos did everything possible to address and overcome the challenges promptly. The cooperation of local authorities, tourism businesses, citizens, and all visitors was exemplary. We made it through, and for that, we thank you.”
After the fires airlines issued alerts with a Jet2 spokesman saying: “We are aware of the ongoing situation regarding wildfires in the Kardamena area of Kos. The safety and well-being of our customers and colleagues is always our first priority and we would like to advise our customers on the island to follow the guidance of the local authorities.”
An easyJet spokesman said: “We’d like to remind our customers currently in Kardamena to continue following the guidance of their hotel and the local authorities, and continue to check SMS and email for any updates from us For customers who have been evacuated from their hotel, we have members of our easyJet holidays team at all rendezvous points, to provide further support and guidance, so we ask our customers to make themselves known to these representatives.”
Tourists evacuated said there were around 2,000 people in the football stadium and only two toilets which eventually both stopped working. Another said people were jumping in cars, buses and bikes to be taken to safety.
Tourists on the island reported being left with little information as they were taken to shelter overnight by coach load, describing the scenes as “hysterical” and “by far the worst experience I’ve ever had.”
Alicia Williams arrived in Kos last Thursday with her husband Adam and was also evacuated to a nearby football stadium. She described how “smoke was billowing from the mountain” over the Sovereign Beach hotel where they were staying and that “helicopters and planes dipping into the sea to take water up to the fire”.