“Kos is in chaos,” reports a British holidaymaker on the Greek island, as wildfires triggered large-scale evacuations.
Stephen Cryer told The Independent he was among thousands who were moved to a school on the island after wildfires encroached on the Kardamena area of Kos.
He was in a group of four visitors from the Wirral who were staying at the Argiri apartments in Kardemena.
“We were told get a bag and leave the hotel last night about 7.15pm. We walked to the square in the village to get a bus. It was a free for all.”
At about 2am on Tuesday they were taken to the Hotel Egeo.
“Given something to eat and drink. People sleeping on sunbeds. Breakfast was provided at about 7am,” he reports.
“We have just had a bus turn up. It was half-full already. We have jumped the bus to Kos town and will face the journey back to Kardemena later.”
The island authorities later posted on X: “We are pleased to inform you that the precautionary evacuation of Kardamena has now ended. We are happy to report that nobody has been hurt, and residents and visitors are now returning to their homes and hotels.”
Kos is just off the Bodrum peninsula of southwestern Turkey. Wildfires have also struck the island of Chios, about 100 miles northeast.
The latest evacuations come less than a year after 20,000 holidaymakers were flown out of Rhodes because of wildfires there. In 2023, 20 people were killed in wildfires during the summer.
What are your rights if you are in one of the wildfire areas, or booked to travel? These are the key questions and answers.
What is the situation in Greece right now?
Wildfires are common in the Mediterranean country, but hotter, drier and windier weather that scientists link to the effects of climate change has increased their frequency and intensity.
“We have had an exceptionally difficult June regarding weather conditions, with high levels of drought and unusually strong winds for this season,” said the Greek prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
“We are entering the tough core of the anti-fire period, and this will certainly not be won without the help of the public as well, particularly in the field of prevention.”
Firefighters have been battling blazes on the eastern Aegean islands of Chios and Kos. On Monday five people, not believed to be visitors, were hurt.
Water-dropping aircraft and helicopters are assisting…
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