Jet2 and TUI cancel ALL flights to Rhodes as fire rips through holiday island

Holidaymakers on the island have been evacuated from their accommodation

Temperatures in continental Europe have reached record highs this summer, with some places experiencing up to 50C heat.

In Rhodes, locals and tourists have been forced out of their homes and hotels as severe wildfires sweep across the island.

Busloads of people have been taken to gyms, schools and hotel conference centres where they stayed overnight as 200 firefighters attempted to control the blaze.

Earlier, officials had 2,000 people ferried off beaches. Some had been stranded and stuck in long queues in the heat and smoke.

Holiday package airline Jet2 has cancelled all flights and holidays that are due to depart to Rhodes today.

In a statement, the travel company said: "We have cancelled all flights and holidays that are due to depart to Rhodes today (five flights in total). We will be contacting affected customers to update them, and to let them know that they will be provided with a full refund and the opportunity to rebook.

"We will fly those five aircraft to Rhodes with no customers onboard so that we can bring customers back to the UK on their scheduled flight."

Footage from the Greek island shows the extent of the devastation, with hordes of people being transported on foot to safe ground.

According to BBC reports, plumes of smoke are blanketing the island, which could also make it unsafe for airlines to approach.

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