Rhodes Wildfire: “Locals had food, water and sleeping bags ready” – British tourists praise locals and slam tour operators

Rhodes fire july 2023

Several tourists who found themselves on the island and were forced to evacuate their hotels due to the fire reserved particularly laudatory comments for the residents of Rhodes.

Many tourists decided via Twitter to inform about what is happening in Rhodes and described the suffering they experienced, but also the effort of the Greeks.

“4am we arrived to the school and the locals had food / water / sleeping bags ready for people – amazing!” one social media user wrote.

Another, also found at a school, had only good things to say about the residents. “Just been evacuated to a school in Rhodes. The Greek people and volunteers have been amazing in light of such a terrible tragedy for their country.”

Another complained about the airline’s policy, which made the landing, while they could not go to the hotel. “5 of us among 100s more slept on a school floor. Locals doing everything, but no sight or sound from you stranded.”

“We are safe for now. The scariest moment in my entire life. After wading into the sea and climbing on a fishing trawler, we are away from danger. I don’t know how they’ll process this when the dust settles, but what brave boys. 😢 💙 Family is everything,” he wrote.

Some others express uncertainty about what will happen.

“Still on #rhodes on the south side at a hotel after getting on a bus. Slept on sun beds outside with hundreds of other people, woke up to see the fire on the horizon and ash falling on us. Hotel is looking after us but no idea how we are leaving the island yet.”

Another user explains that he had to evacuate twice.

Another complains because, as he says, he has no information and no rescue plan. In fact, he claimed that he is trapped in a hotel, which was taken to them by the army, while he has to go to the northern part of the island.

READ MORE: Fires Raging in Rhodes: Operations Underway on Three Fronts.