Hundreds of British tourists evacuated as forest fires sweep Greek island

Hundreds of British holidaymakers have been evacuated from hotels to escape forest fires raging across the Greek island of Rhodes. In an emergency operation, up to 2,000 people, around 400 of them Britons, were yesterday moved to the island’s south coast as smoke billowed into tourist areas. The evacuees included 324 First Choice customers, most of whom were staying at the Kiotari Bay Hotel in Asklipios. Enlarge Thick smoke from a forest fire rises over a beach of Lindos village on the island of Rhodes Around 60 British guests at two smaller hotels nearby also had to be driven to safety. A spokesman for tour operator Tui said: 'There are forest fires 3km from the resort of Kiotari. 'As a precautionary measure due to smoke, we evacuated 324 First Choice customers to Glistra Beach until the smoke disperses. Enlarge Tourists... [read full story]