Newspaper headlines: 'Rhodes holiday terror' and George Alagiah tributes

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By BBC News
Staff
Reuters

Wind coupled with very dry conditions and high temperatures meant wildfires spread across Rhodes

The Times leads on the Rhodes wildfires. It reports that 30,000 people from the UK have been left in "holiday limbo" by the disaster on the Greek island.

It says damage to resorts is likely to cause a spate of cancellations for those hoping to travel there in the next few weeks. The paper's leader argues that the chaos has exposed a "worrying degree of unpreparedness" on the part of the authorities.

That theme is picked up in the editorial column of the Daily Express. It points out that "while this summer has been extreme, parts of Greece have had forest fires before". Travel firms should, it concludes, have "better contingency plans".

The i says the consumer group Which? has described airlines as "deeply irresponsible" for continuing to fly customers into the emergency zone. Which? is quoted saying firms allowed people to travel, even though they knew their hotels were closing down.

The Sun has a two-page spread with pictures of the charred remains of poolside loungers and parasols - and holidaymakers sleeping on the floor of the airport in Rhodes. The headline is: "How could they fly us into this?"

The Daily Mail leads with a claim that some lawyers in the UK are charging up to £10,000 to submit false asylum and human rights claims for illegal immigrants.

It alleges that staff at several firms were willing to help an undercover reporter posing as an economic migrant - despite being told he had no legitimate right to stay in Britain after arriving on a small boat.

The Solicitors' Regulation Authority tells the paper that all solicitors should uphold high professional standards - especially in areas such as immigration, where those involved may be among the most vulnerable in society.

Many of the papers mark the death of the BBC newsreader George Alagiah.

The Mirror describes him as "gentle, kind and brave" - saying he was "the unflappable face of BBC News, loved by colleagues and viewers alike for his warmth and empathy".

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, the presenter Fiona Bruce says George Alagiah set the "gold standard" for newsreaders, highlighting in particular his "integrity, humour and kindness".

The i describes him simply as a "broadcasting giant".