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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Wildfires Rhodes - family stranded

251 replies

strawthatbrokethecamelsback · 22/07/2023 21:23

posting here for traffic

my brother & family are stranded in Rhodes. They have been evacuated from Mitsis Rodos Village Beach Hotel & Spa. They have nothing but the clothes on their back. All passports & documents are in the hotel.

just a awful situation for absolutely everyone, locals especially.

we have no information as to whether the hotel has been destroyed or not. If it has we’ll need to think about getting them to the embassy for emergency passports.

The insurance company are on it and are trying to help but we’re having trouble just getting through to them on the phone.

I know this is a massive long shot but does anyone have any local knowledge or any updates of what the situation is?

OP posts:
Simonjt · 23/07/2023 12:36

RoseAndRose · 23/07/2023 12:04

The advantage is that you can quickly give comprehensive information to the British diplomatic/consular staff who will be processing the emergency ravel documents for you.

Also, remember that not all future emergencies will be like this one, and that if you are not a package holiday traveller, there might be no tour provider or anything else whatsoever to show that you are indeed British. Or that, if you are not British, you have the right to enter Britain (photocopy of relevant visa or whatever)

There are of course no good as actual boarding documents, but having comprehensive information with you (in your phone, or available to be emailed to you by a trusted person back home) will make other aspects of the admin work much more smoothly.

I wasn’t with a tour operator, my whole process was about thirty minutes at most, until that moment I wasn’t aware Britain was able to do anything efficiently!

BlowDryRat · 23/07/2023 12:38

whereaw · 23/07/2023 11:52

Just reading a local news story about a family stranded who flew out... yesterday! Why were people still going especially with their kids in tow?! And making the situation worse for everybody who was already there.

I'm less than 50 miles away from the village in Essex that was destroyed by a wildfire last year. I felt sorry for the people affected (including my firefighter neighbour, who was involved in putting out the fire in ridiculous heat), but it didn't affect my life otherwise. If the tour operator was running the flight then I suppose they assumed their holiday wouldn't be affected.

CharlotteStreetW1 · 23/07/2023 12:41

It’s quite a logistical nightmare, plus there are fewer British reps in resorts now as you need a EU passport.

That's a good point actually. Yet another Brexit "benefit" 🙄 Although they could recruit locals I'd have thought...

TUI have even fewer staff overseas as they use online support instead of ‘real people’.

Yep. Just back from Croatia. No reps at all, even at the airport on arrival, just a driver with a TUI board. We were obviously the only two on that [Easyjet] flight on a TUI package. Apart from ads for excursions, we heard nothing. I had to trawl through their app for a return transfer pick up time. Tried the online chat but there was never anyone available - I guess I know why now.

Bankholnightmare · 23/07/2023 12:46

I’m due to stay in one if the destroyed hotels in a couple of weeks via Jet2. Anyone in a similar situation and have an update? I’m expecting it’ll be a few days before they confirm as they will be busy with the current crisis. Hope all get home safe, scary times.

Xoxoxoxoxoxox · 23/07/2023 12:49

I don’t know if you know this or if this is any use to you but you can send money through Western Union to any bank or participating shop and their website has a map of all of their locations.
If they are stuck there a few days & are contactable then they can pick up the money with a passport and a code number that you text to them the same day.

Whatthetrolley · 23/07/2023 13:13

Jet2 have updated their statement. Now cancelled all outgoing flights to Rhodes until 30th July but will still fly the planes out to collect those already out there.

itsgettingweird · 23/07/2023 13:34

Tetchypants · 23/07/2023 12:11

Don’t bother then @Simonjt but for the nanosecond it takes to photograph your passport, why not? Personally in this situation, I’d rather feel a tiny bit more in control than be utterly clueless.

You're living up to your username.

Simon isn't saying don't.

He's saying that when it happened to him he wasn't allowed to use the photos etc so it doesn't matter if you don't have photos.

AndyMcFlurry · 23/07/2023 14:48

strawthatbrokethecamelsback · 23/07/2023 08:56

It’s just horrific, my DB is beating himself up and very emotional about leaving their passports behind, I’m sure he’s thinking that in hindsight it would have taken 30 seconds to get them 🙄 we all know that that isn’t possible and would have put him in great danger

the reality is all of those things can and will be replaced. You feel so helpless though 😞

The passports don’t matter in this situation, the Governments of both Greece and the Uk have procedures in place to deal with emergencies like this .

Remember his password was scanned when he checked into his flight to Greece and then again at Rhodes airport . The tour operators have all the details in their system too.

He and his family can be easily identified from this, plus information they can provide such as NI number, date of birth , address etc .

Remember the Greek authorities want the tourists repatriated just as much as the tourists want to get home. Everyone will make things as smooth as they can.

Your DB did absolutely the right thing to follow instructions and evacuate as he did. No one knows what could have happened if he had take the time to return to his room . Many Resorts on Rhodes are spread out over a wide area, it’s quite possible to be on the beach / pool and be a 5-10 min walk from your room .

At best he could have been separated from the rest of his family and they would have all been distraught. They could have ended up on an other bus or hotel at different locations.

Sometime people fall and get crushed or injured trying to enter a building when others are leaving in a panic.

Passports are very easily replaced ( I've just done it ) when they get home, as are clothes and suitcases and their insurance will cover the costs. It’s actually much easier than many other insurance claims as most of us have a list of what we packed and also usually don’t take items of sentimental value on holidays .

Most people just take passport / bank cards / cash , clothes , shoes, toiletries and electronics / books . Money can easily replace all of these.

Please reassure your brother, all that matters is that they are all safe and well.

AndyMcFlurry · 23/07/2023 15:10

DazedandConcerned · 23/07/2023 11:16

I have five Rhodian cats in my house. All make the best companions.

My husband is due to rescue 5 at the beginning of august. Travel permitting.

My sister used to run a dog rescue on another Greek island she lived there for years .

Thank you for what you do for the animals there.

We love Rhodes, we were there 10 days ago . We are so sad for the beautiful island and wonderful people.

DazedandConcerned · 23/07/2023 15:12

AndyMcFlurry · 23/07/2023 15:10

My sister used to run a dog rescue on another Greek island she lived there for years .

Thank you for what you do for the animals there.

We love Rhodes, we were there 10 days ago . We are so sad for the beautiful island and wonderful people.

It is an amazing place filled with amazing people and animals.

My husband is due out to rescue more at the start of August but looks like it will need to be postponed.

whynotwhatknot · 23/07/2023 15:21

DazedandConcerned · 23/07/2023 09:57

FYI hotel is still standing. From what my friends in the area (Pefkos and Lardos) tell me no hotels have been destroyed.

jet2 is now returning people to their hotels in the Pefkos area. Hope that settles your mind somewhat. If you need any help with anything let me know. I’m a cat rescuer and spend a lot of time helping the animals of Rhodes. I have many connections on the island.

Just wanted to say thanks for what you do

sorry to derail hope youre brother and family ar eok op

stayingcool · 23/07/2023 16:26

I don’t know if you know this or if this is any use to you but you can send money through Western Union to any bank or participating shop and their website has a map of all of their locations.If they are stuck there a few days & are contactable then they can pick up the money with a passport and a code number that you text to them the same day.

Er... they don't have a passport! It's at the hotel

rileynexttime · 23/07/2023 16:43

It's a useful piece of info for others. And some stranded people may v have their's.

ButtonMoonLoon · 23/07/2023 18:49

I’ve just seen on a friends Facebook wall ( they’re staying in the same resort) that they’ve been able to get back into the hotel to collect their belongings so hopefully your brother and family can do so too!

justasking111 · 23/07/2023 18:51

OH just said jet 2 are sending out empty planes to get everyone home

RampantIvy · 23/07/2023 18:53

So are Tui.

Willmafrockfit · 23/07/2023 19:03

but pity the poor greeks, with no where else to go

Emmascott82 · 23/07/2023 20:28

Hello can you please confirm that the hotel your family are at is mitsis rodos village beach hotel and spa in kiotari? We are meant to be going there on the 3rd of August. I’ve just called the hotel after seeing this post and they have said the hotel is not affected and can’t Evan see the smoke, so I’m confused and worried. Many thanks

StillWantingADog · 23/07/2023 20:45

Emmascott82 · 23/07/2023 20:28

Hello can you please confirm that the hotel your family are at is mitsis rodos village beach hotel and spa in kiotari? We are meant to be going there on the 3rd of August. I’ve just called the hotel after seeing this post and they have said the hotel is not affected and can’t Evan see the smoke, so I’m confused and worried. Many thanks

Hopefully everyone was evacuated as a precaution and they’re now letting people back in. As far as i understand it it all
depends on which way the wind is blowing. The fires are def still raging.

strawthatbrokethecamelsback · 23/07/2023 20:53

well it’s been a hectic day to say the least

called insurance this morning, they told me that had heard anecdotally that the hotel had been destroyed. So we started contacting Ryanair, love holidays, the embassy. Ryanair & love holidays were totally useless, the embassy were amazing!

my DB and his family were told they they were being moved to a holding centre and if they refused to go the police would be on hand to remove them (this was to all evacuated guests not just DB)

anyway long story short, the hotel that they were originally staying in came good and picked them up and took them to a sister hotel. On the way they went past the original hotel and it was indeed still there but quite badly damaged (but not unsafe). They have got their passports and all their clothes quickly packed up, however the room was inches deep in soot.

Ryanair have been appalling & said they were still waiting for guidance from their head office. I’ve managed to get them a flight out on Tuesday. Hopefully we may get something back from the insurance but honestly at this stage the most important thing is that they get home.

thank you to everyone for your lovely messages and advice. This is a terrible tragedy for a beautiful island, that will take years to rebuild.

OP posts:
strawthatbrokethecamelsback · 23/07/2023 20:56

Emmascott82 · 23/07/2023 20:28

Hello can you please confirm that the hotel your family are at is mitsis rodos village beach hotel and spa in kiotari? We are meant to be going there on the 3rd of August. I’ve just called the hotel after seeing this post and they have said the hotel is not affected and can’t Evan see the smoke, so I’m confused and worried. Many thanks

Yes they were indeed staying here. Not sure where they get that info from, this is from their Facebook page:-

Dear valued guests, partners and friends,

In the wake of the recent wildfire in Rhodes, we sadly inform you that we were ordered to evacuate our hotel. We took prompt and decisive measures to address the situation as soon as it arose.

Our well-trained staff and emergency response teams acted swiftly to ensure the safety of everyone on the premises. To ensure the continued comfort and convenience of our guests, we have taken steps to accommodate everyone in nearby hotels.

In these challenging times, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who have shown concern and interest in this unfortunate event and to all those affected. Your support and understanding are valuable to us. Once again, we would like to emphasize that the safety and well-being of our guests remain our top priority. We are working diligently to restore our services to normalcy and welcome you back to our property soon.

Thank you for your understanding, empathy and cooperation.

OP posts:
ssd · 23/07/2023 20:57

Glad they are getting home on Tuesday but as you say a terrible tragedy for everyone who lives and works on the island.

StillWantingADog · 23/07/2023 21:24

pleased they got their stuff, have somewhere to stay, and seats on a flight out. Phew.

Melissa0 · 24/07/2023 06:48

Hi I just wanted to say I was also staying at the mitzis resort and spa and booked through love holidays. I was on the beach when the wild fire reached the hotel. Luckily we had a hire car so was able to drive south to the next hotel.

It has been awful. No help from love holidays or easy jet. No contact from the mitzis either. We have travelled to a couple of the sister hotels so can at least get food and drink.

We managed to book an air b n b for lastnight, tomorrow and Tuesday night and have booked our own return flights for Wednesday.

We only arrived on the Friday.

I really feel the OP's family. It has been a difficult situation when you never know whether you are making the right choices.

Let me know if you need any further info on the situation here. X

Cailin66 · 24/07/2023 06:57

Why were flights from the UK still landing into Rhodes yesterday?