A number of wildfires are raging across Greece, with emergency services issuing evacuation orders for those in affected areas. UK holiday firms have issued warnings to passengers
Jet2 and easyJet customers are being urged to stay alert as their travel plans could be thrown into disarray due to raging wildfires in Greece. The country is grappling with fierce blazes on the islands of Chios and Kos, prompting a stark warning from the Greek prime minister about a perilous summer ahead.
Inhabitants of Metohi in western Chios have been told to evacuate to safety on nearby beaches by emergency services. Meanwhile, on Kos, firefighters, supported by a helicopter and local volunteers, are battling a wildfire that erupted in the island’s heart.
These fires follow closely on the heels of two significant forest fires near Athens, which were exacerbated by strong winds but have since been brought under control by the fire department. “We have had an exceptionally difficult June regarding weather conditions, with high levels of drought and unusually strong winds for this season,” remarked Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in a cabinet meeting on Monday.
He ominously 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, reports Bristol Live.
A Jet2 spokesman said: “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.”
They added that flights are currently going as planned, but passengers could face longer wait times at the airport. 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.”
EasyJet want holidaymakers to know that holidays are going ahead as planned for those travelling to unaffected areas of the island, and that anyone due to travel to Kardamena will be contacted directly. They added: “We ask that customers continue to check their emails, as we’ll be in touch if their holiday is impacted by the evolving situation.”
Jet2 has also issued a warning about potential delays in the Mediterranean due to thunderstorms.