Relief! Jersey family escape holiday from hell wildfires in Rhodes

Monday 24 July 2023

A Jersey family have spoken of their relief at being able to escape wildfires that have devastated the Greek island of Rhodes.

Lucy and Nick Le Boutillier were a week into a holiday in Rhodes with their daughters Lacey (16) and Tilly (12) when they were forced to evacuate their hotel as fires swept the central part of the Island.

Around 19,000 evacuated

Around 19,000 people were evacuated as a result of the fires in Rhodes, while Greek authorities were also dealing with other fires on the islands of Corfu and Evia as temperatures climbed beyond 40°C.

The family initially set off from their hotel on foot in a bid to reach safety before being picked up by an army truck and taken to a hotel away from the affected area, which was used as temporary accommodation for around 2,000 holidaymakers.

"It was definitely the right thing to have left"

Mrs Le Boutillier said the family had subsequently been relocated by coach to the north of the island, near to the Diagoras International Airport, passing close to the hotel from which they had fled the day before.

Pictured: Lucy Le Boutillier and her daughter Tilly (12) were evacuated along with Nick Le Boutillier and Tilly's older sister Lacey.

“We initially thought we would be travelling around the coast, but then realised we were passing inland and went past the hotel," she said.

"The fire had come within a hundred metres, so it was definitely the right thing to have left.”

Sleeping on lilos

Having reached the school in the north of the island, the family received help from local residents, as well as a Jerseyman, Richie Peters, who was connected to them via social media.

“The locals have been amazing, they have been at the school at all hours of the day helping to provide food and drink, and they just hope that people will come back to Rhodes in the future,” Mrs Le Boutillier said.

“We were connected to Richie by a mutual acquaintance and he drove across with food and lilos for sleeping on – we are so grateful for all the help.”

Pictured: the fires sweeping across Rhodes were still visible from the hotel used to house evacuated holidaymakers (Lucy Le Boutillier)

Tour operator Tui has been seeking to repatriate holidaymakers by air, with Mrs Le Boutillier saying that she hoped the family may be able to travel back to the UK on their original flight on Tuesday evening.

"We are just relieved to be safe"

“We haven't got our luggage yet, but we aren't really fussed about that, we are just relieved to be safe and hope we can get home,” she said.

Jersey's Government has confirmed that its officials are engaging with UK colleagues regarding provision of appropriate assistance to islanders in line with that made available to other British nationals.

ADVICE...

Jersey's Government has urged any islanders caught up in the wildfire crisis to follow advice from the UK Government, which states:

"Extreme temperatures are affecting many areas of Greece and there are a number of active wildfires including in Rhodes. If you are a British national affected by wildfires in Rhodes, please follow the guidance from the emergency services. Call the Greek Emergency Services on 112 if you are in immediate danger.

The Greek government has established a Crisis Management Unit to respond to the situation in Rhodes. They can be contacted on +30 210 368 1730 / +30 210 3681259 / +30 210 3681350.

In the first instance, please contact your airline or travel operator who can assist you with return travel to the UK.

If you are planning to travel to Rhodes, please check with your travel operator or hotel prior to travel that the area you plan to visit is not impacted by the current wildfires.

For 24/7 British consular assistance, call +44 20 7008 5000.

You can register on the Greek government's Emergency Communication Service to get emergency alerts."