The British ambassador to Greece says the Foreign Office has sent a "rapid deployment team" to help UK tourists in Rhodes.

In a tweet,, external Matthew Lodge also says the British Embassy in Athens has been working with Greek authorities, airlines and tour operators "to support UK nationals".

We asked for more details on the rapid deployment team but the Foreign Office said they're not sharing any more at this stage.

Their latest advice to travellers is available here, external.

We reported earlier that Jet2 had cancelled all its flights to Rhodes until next Wednesday. It's now announced that it's cancelling all flights up to and including July 30, which is next Sunday.

In a tweet, external, it said this reflected the "extraordinary circumstances" on the Greek island.

It said it would still fly its aircraft to Rhodes, but with no customers on board, so that it can pick up tourists and bring them home.

Oliver, who arrived in Rhodes on Saturday, says it's been really difficult to find accommodation after he was forced to flee his hotel.

He says the prices for accommodation in Rhodes town have "tripled" overnight and there were only five places available to book this morning.

Oliver and his wife were evacuated from their hotel in Lindos shortly after midnight and managed to secure a taxi to Rhodes town.

"We called 60 hotels in the taxi and they were all full," he said.

They could see the blaze in the sky as they fled their hotel, he says, adding: "It was beautiful, but terrifying...I've never seen anything like that before."

The couple ended sleeping on tablecloths on the floor of a conference room on Saturday night, he said, adding that the hotel was "amazing" and very helpful.

Image source, .

Residents have been forced to flee their homes in Rhodes as wildfires encroach on their land - take a look at some of the latest video from the island:

Image source, EVN

Firefighters on the Greek island of Rhodes are struggling to contain wildfires that have led to thousands of people being evacuated.

The fires, which have been raging for days, are reported to be out of control on several fronts. Here's what we know:

• Travel companies Tui and Jet2 have suspended inbound tourist flights to Rhodes, and EasyJet has cancelled package holidays, but is maintaining its flights
• Reports suggest around 19,000 people have been evacuated by land and sea
• No deaths or serious injuries have been reported
• Power cuts hit the worst-affected areas of the island yesterday
• Winds are forecast to strengthen today, which could further fan the flames
• The Foreign Office has issued updated advice, external for travellers
• Greece has cancelled a national holiday planned for tomorrow as the country battles several major fires

EasyJet says its flights to Rhodes are still running - but it's cancelled all package holidays to the island until Wednesday.

And while flights are operating as normal, EasyJet said anyone booked to travel before 29 July can change their flight to another date for free, or request a voucher for the value of their flight.

"We are also contacting customers due to travel to Rhodes up to 29 July to discuss their options," it said in a statement to the BBC a few moments ago.

We've just had this photo of evacuees sheltering in a stadium on the island of Rhodes.

Mattresses have been laid out on the floor of the sports hall - take a look:

Image source, Reuters

Lesley Young arrived in Lindos, Rhodes on Saturday morning with her family - but couldn't go to her hotel because it had been evacuated.

Despite having holiday insurance worth £2,000 to use for alternative accommodation, she said they weren't able to find "anything at all".

"So we have been taken to the sister hotel of the one we booked and they have set up mattresses on the floor of one of their conference rooms.

"They have really tried to do the best but we have no idea how long we will be in this situation."

She said her family might cut their two-week holiday short.

Image source, Lesley Young

Warren Muggleton
Reporting from his holiday on Rhodes

After six days enjoying the sun in Rhodes, we got the notification to evacuate on Saturday night.

Having been enjoying dinner an hour before, my suitcase was packed at midnight and the guests driven from Lindos, where a red hue could be seen over the hills, 25 miles north to Faliraki.

The sister hotel brought in hundreds of guests, who had to sleep on sun loungers, sofas and the floor. There were families with young children and elderly couples in need of assistance all trying to get to sleep, having arrived in the early hours.

Seven hours after arriving, we were called to say we could return to the hotel in Lindos.

With a south-westerly wind pushing the smoke away, people are sitting on sun loungers, dipping in the sea and pool - it’s as if nothing changed.

While there are still murmurings among the guests, the hotel staff - rich with local knowledge, yesterday fraught with worry, today back on the job - assure us there is no problem today or tomorrow.

Of course, it all depends on the wind but for now it’s back to holiday mode for some.

The Foreign Office is advising Britons planning to travel to Rhodes to check with their travel operator and hotel before heading to the island.

In newly issued advice, it urges visitors to follow the guidance of the local authorities and call 112 if there is an immediate danger.

You can read the advice in full here., external

Paul Goddard
BBC Weather

Image source, EPA

It's another hot day in Rhodes, with temperatures inland reaching the upper 30Cs, possibly as high as 41C.

Unfortunately, the winds are expected to be strong at times from a north-westerly direction, which will not help at all in fighting the fires.

Smoke will continue to be blown towards the resorts on the east side of the island. The winds are likely to be stronger tomorrow, although it does look like they will ease a little mid-week.

More broadly, Greece as a whole remains under heatwave conditions, with some areas reaching as high as 44 to 45C.

Package holiday companies Jet2 and Tui are cancelling flights to Rhodes as the island continues to battle wildfires.

Jet2 has cancelled all five of its flights today, while Tui cancelled all flights to the island until Wednesday.

In a statement, Jet2 says: "We ask any customers in affected areas to follow the advice of the local authorities, or their hoteliers who will be acting under the advice of the authorities."

Those due to travel will receive a full refund and an opportunity to rebook, the company says.

"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."

Dulcie Lee
Live reporter

Image source, John Miller

Wildfires spreading across the Greek island of Rhodes have forced thousands of people to flee hotels, leaving many tourists in limbo.

Flights have been cancelled to the island after holidaymakers, including many Britons, had to bed down in temporary accommodation overnight, including camping out on sun loungers.

Anna Boyd and I will be bringing you the latest lines - stick with us.