Jet2 and Easyjet warn UK tourists face being 'evacuated'

Jet2 and easyJet have moved to issue an island holiday warning for Brits after thousands of tourists are evacuated. Jet2 and Easyjet are warning UK holidaymakers who are jetting off to Greece in the European Union amid the rising temperatures and heatwave.

Diane Critchley and her partner were ordered by local authorities to evacuate their hotel on the island of Kos on Monday as the fires raged nearby. They were sent to a football field full of 5,000 evacuees which was said was "horrendous", with just two toilets and people being sick.

Ms Critchley told BBC North West Tonight that "it was scary" after seeing the "smoke billowing" in the hills around her hotel. She went on: "The authorities decided we needed to get out of the hotel for our own safety. We potentially could have been cut off if we hadn't got out of the area down the coast road."

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The holidaymaker added: "As we went to the football ground, we actually passed the fires and could smell the smoke at the football ground. It was horrendous - absolutely horrendous at the football field. There were no blankets for the young children and people were being sick around us.

"There were actually two ambulances called while were were there. There were two toilets for 5,000 people so you can imagine the situation there." A Jet2holidays statement said: "The safety and wellbeing 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.

"Currently, our Jet2.com flights are due to operate as scheduled today and the airport remains operational. However, due to the situation, the airport may be congested and you may experience longer than normal wait times."

The easyJet statement said: "We’re closely monitoring the fast-evolving wildfire situation in the Kardamena area of Kos, and working with our teams in destination. 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."