Summary

  • A plane fighting wildfires has crashed on the Greek island of Evia, killing two crew members

  • The Greek air force pilots were tackling a blaze when their aircraft smashed into a hillside

  • Meanwhile, Crete - the largest of the Greek Islands - has been put on high alert because of an extreme risk of fire

  • Hundreds of tourists have already been evacuated from the island of Rhodes

  • A European heatwave has helped create dry conditions that let fires take hold in Greece, Sicily, Croatia, Algeria and Tunisia

  • The situation would have been "virtually impossible" without human-induced climate change, scientists say

Live Reporting

Edited by Jack Burgess and Alexandra Fouché

  1. Pilot advises passengers to disembark flight to Rhodes

    Gwyn Loader
    Chief correspondent, Newyddion S4C

    A fire burns trees and low vegetation in the Malona area of RhodesEPA

    An EasyJet pilot flying British tourists to Rhodes urged passengers to get off the plane before take off, insisting it was a "terrible idea" to visit the island.

    As we have been reporting, the UK government is not advising against travel to Rhodes, despite hundreds fleeing the island due to wildfires.

    But moments before take off, one pilot issued a stark warning to passengers over the tannoy.

    "Travelling to Rhodes for a holiday at the moment is a terrible idea," the pilot said, citing stranded tourists and holidaymakers sleeping in airports.

    “As far as I’m concerned, this flight is being operated on an emergency basis," he added, noting that return flights were now "being managed by the military.”

    The pilot then offered passengers the chance to disembark and rebook their flights for another time.

    There were just 37 passengers on board the EasyJet flight from Gatwick on Monday, on a plane capable of carrying 180 people.

    Eight passengers took the pilot up on the offer - including one young boy in tears.

    “I don’t know in what capacity you are travelling, but if you are travelling for leisure, my sincere recommendation is it’s a bad idea," the pilot said.

  2. WATCH: Raging wildfires burn near Italian airport

    Watch: Fires burn close to Palermo’s international airport

    More now on the wildfires in Italy, where an airport was shut down overnight as fires burned around the perimeter in Palermo.

    It airport reopened this morning, but only "a limited number" of flights are departing for now.

    The wildfire is one of several on the island of Sicily and spread due to windy conditions.

    Southern Italy has been sweltering through weeks of extreme heat. On Monday, temperatures in Palermo reached a record 47C (116F).

  3. Crete on alert as Greek PM to hold meeting
    Breaking

    Intense wildfires are continuing to spread across Greek islands, with Crete becoming the latest to be put on high alert.

    The authorities have told residents there's an extreme risk of fire.

    The Greek prime minister will meet senior members of the government to discuss the emergency.

    Meanwhile, a new evacuation in Corfu has been issued by the Greek authorities.

    People in the northern village of Loutses have been told to head towards Acharavi, further west.

  4. Satellite images show Rhodes wildfires

    Satellite images taken yesterday have shown the extent of the fires in Rhodes, which continue to spread.

    Satellite image shows colour infrared view of active fires near Gennadi and coast on RhodesMaxar Technologies

    Satellite images show active fires near the village of Gennadi

    Satellite image shows burned buildings along coastline of Kiotari, RhodesMaxar Technologies

    The pictures also picked up burned buildings along the coastline of Kiotari

    Satellite image shows fire fighting crews in RhodesMaxar Technologies

    Fire crews can also be seen from above battling the fires

  5. What role is climate change playing?

    Justin Rowlatt
    Climate editor

    There are reports that some fires may have been started by arsonists, but southern Europe's extended heatwave has helped create the dry conditions that make it easier for flames to take hold and spread.

    But we know that globally, heatwaves are becoming hotter, longer and more frequent because of climate change.

    That is because human activity has pushed up the average global temperature by around 1.1C, compared with pre-industrial levels.

    Temperatures have always varied between years, of course. But raising the average temperature means the extremes now move around a higher base.

    That is particularly true in Europe, which is the fastest warming continent of the world and has warmed by nearly twice the global average.

    Europe is about 2.3C above pre-industrial levels, according to the UN’s weather and climate service, the World Meteorological Organization, and as a result experiences significantly less extreme cold and more extreme heat.

  6. Fires burn across Mediterranean countries

    A forest fire burns near the village of Zberber, Bouira province in the mountainous Kabyle region, Algeria.EPA

    A forest fire burns in Algeria

    As Greece battles serious wildfires, so too do other Mediterranean countries.

    In Algeria, at least 34 people - including 10 soldiers - have died as fires sweep across many regions in the country.

    About 1,500 people were evacuated with 8,000 firefighters working to bring the flames under control.

    In Sicily, mountains and hills around the capital Palermo were also alight on Monday night. The airport was closed as temperatures reached up to 47C yesterday.

    And in Tunisia, wildfires swept across the town of Melloula.

  7. WATCH: Wildfires this morning in southern Rhodes

    Here's some video we received the morning of fires burning in Vati.

    The footage was recorded at around 08:30 BST (10:30 local time). It shows people watching the flames from a distance.

    A fire service spokesperson said two rivers have dried up near Gennadi and Vati, and the fires were not threatening any nearby residents.

  8. Holidaymakers advised to stay in contact with travel provider

    A sunbed mattress is seen at a burnt down beach bar destroyed by wildfires at the beach of GlystraGetty Images

    The UK government is not advising against travel to Rhodes, but has urged holidaymakers to urge anyone planning a trip to affected areas to keep in close contact with their travel provider.

    The Association of British Travel Agents - the travel association trade body - is now issuing similar advice.

    "Some airlines are still operating flights, so it might be that if you're booked on one of those flights your holidays may be able to still go ahead," Emma Brennan, from ABTA tells BBC Breakfast.

    She notes that Rhodes is a large island and parts of it are "still fully functioning and people are still able to travel and enjoy a holiday there".

    Brennan also urges anyone still in an evacuation centre to get in touch with their travel provider.

  9. Listen to Rhodes phone-in special on Nicky Campbell show

    You can listen to people's experiences of the wildfires in Rhodes on the Nicky Campbell show by clicking the Play icon at the top of this page.

    Or if you prefer you can watch on BBC Two, the BBC News channel and listen to Radio 5 Live on BBC Sounds.

  10. Couple sleep on beach to escape fires

    Matt Knight
    BBC News, Essex

    A man wearing glasses sits next to a woman wearing glassesSupplied

    Rhodes residents Helen Rendell and her husband Ray left their home in Lardos, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

    The pair, originally from Chelmsford in Essex, joined convoys of vehicles as they tried to head north to safety.

    "I wasn't frightened, I was more anxious," Helen says.

    "It was fear of the unknown because we were all concerned about what we'd come home to. Would our homes be alright?"

    They didn't make it to Rhodes Town, because ferries were "chock-a-block" full of tourists staying on them.

    Instead, the pair had to sleep on sunbeds.

    They have since returned to their home which was untouched by the fires, but they know of many others who were not so lucky.

    "We know an elderly couple who live about 5km (3.1 miles) from us who lived in one of four houses on this hillside. Today there is only one house still standing."

  11. Temperatures across Greece still 5 -7C higher than usual

    Simon King
    BBC weather presenter and meteorologist

    The heatwave continues across much of Greece today with maximum temperatures in many of the tourist locations around the mid-30Cs.

    Some locations inland of mainland Greece though will get up to the low to mid-40Cs.

    Temperatures this high in Greece in the summer are not necessarily uncommon but it’s important to note that it is still 5 to 7C hotter than normal. The length of this heatwave is also noteworthy as it adds more strain to infrastructure.

    Wildfires, which may have been arson as reported, will spread further with hotter and drier conditions as seen across Greece.

    Wind is also a key factor for controlling wildfires. It will again be particularly windy in Rhodes with a strong north-westerly wind fanning the fires.

    Wednesday looks like it could be a hotter day in Greece but thereafter the heat will start to abate and the winds will ease. Important for Rhodes in particular with a change to a lighter westerly for a few days at least.

    A map shows the heatwave and wind gusts across Greece

  12. Greece is safe to travel to - Gove

    Wildfire burns on the island of RhodesReuters

    UK Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove says he’s still planning to go to Greece on holiday, as wildfires grip the island of Rhodes.

    Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Gove says Greece is "safe" and a "wonderful place for those fortunate enough to go abroad to spend some time this summer".

    He also says holidaymakers should check the latest UK Foreign Office travel advice before their trips.

    "The government’s official advice is it is safe to go to Greece," he says.

    "The Greek government and the people on the ground have responded very effectively.

    It’s tragic that people in Rhodes have had their holidays disrupted in this way but we’re supporting and helping the Greek government."

  13. New fires on the island of Rhodes

    Azadeh Moshiri
    Reporting from Rhodes

    The fire service have called with an update, and spokesperson Lt Col Yannis Artopios tells me there are new fires raging on the island of Rhodes.

    He says two rivers have dried up near Gennadi and Vati, in southern Rhodes. He said currently the fire isn’t threatening any nearby residents.

    But he also says they had to evacuate people from Platanistos at midnight. The fire service are not certain of how many people were evacuated, but said it would be in the hundreds, not thousands.

    Corfu and Evia have had strong winds across the day, so he says “it is not totally under control”.

    He adds, “we continue to hunt fires everyday“.

  14. A lot of concern in Rhodes

    Jenny Hill
    Reporting from Rhodes

    Charred trees are seen next to the beach of GlystraReuters

    Charred trees are seen next to the beach of Glystra

    Fires were still burning out of control in central and south-eastern Rhodes this morning at first light.

    Once again, firefighting aircraft have taken to the skies, dumping loads of water onto the blazing ground beneath.

    To date, all of that is in vain. It doesn’t help that the winds here are very strong, fanning those flames, and it’s also not helped that temperatures here are expected to be very high well into the middle of this week.

    There is a lot of concern here, including as you might expect on the impact on the all-important tourism industry. It’s very early to begin thinking about assessing the damage done, but it's fairly obvious to say some of those hotels will be so badly damaged they won’t be able to reopen this season. Others are expected to stay closed potentially for weeks. It all depends on where this fire goes, where the winds drive it and how quickly the firefighters can get it under control.

    It feels incongruous. Where I am, you’d feel like there’s nothing wrong. You can see tourists playing happily in the gorgeous sea here, but not too far away the firefighters are tackling those blazes.

  15. July heatwaves 'virtually impossible' without climate change - study

    Georgina Rannard
    Climate & science reporter

    More now on the heatwaves gripping southern Europe - creating the dry conditions needed to allow fires like the ones which have taken hold in Rhodes.

    A scientific study says heatwaves in Europe and the US in July would have been "virtually impossible" without human-induced climate change.

    Climate change meant the heatwave in southern Europe was 2.5C hotter, the study finds.

    Global warming from burning fossil fuels also made the heatwave affecting parts of China 50 times more likely.

    You can read more on the study's findings here.

  16. In pictures: Fires rage on Rhodes

    A blaze in the Kiotari area of RhodesEPA

    The fire brigade and volunteers have been working to control fires on three fronts on Rhodes, which have sparked mass evacuations of villages and resorts on the island

    Evacuated tourists sleep inside the airportReuters

    Airlines have been sending empty planes to the Greek island in order to repatriate British tourists

    Locals prepare to tackle wildfires approaching the village of Masari, RhodesReuters

    As holidaymakers flee, locals are pictured here preparing to tackle wildfires approaching the village of Masari, on Rhodes

    A firefighter tries to put out a wildfire in Kiotari villageEPA

    Firefighters are focused on preventing the blaze from spreading further as strong winds and dry conditions are causing it to constantly rekindle

  17. British front pages lead with Greek evacuations

    The front page of the Daily Express with the headline: "Race to rescue Britons in Greek wildfires 'nightmare'"

    Many of the UK's major newspapers carry the story of Britons being evacuated from Greece on their respective front pages.

    The Daily Express describes the affair as a "nightmare" with the race on to rescue British tourists.

    The i newspaper says airlines have been accused of being irresponsible after flying tourists into a Greek national emergency without offering refunds or rebooking options.

    The Times says it is "travel chaos" with hotels on the island potentially closing for weeks, while the Guardian notes the climate crisis link to the heatwave in Europe is undeniable.

    Meanwhile, Metro's front page reports on the "Knight of Rhodes" - a British dad who used his holiday rental car to make several trips into the "danger zone" to rescue stranded families.

  18. Where have the fires been burning on Rhodes?

    Temperatures exceeding 40C (104F) has been seen across Greece in recent weeks, resulting in fires burning for nearly a week in some areas.

    Rhodes has been the worst affected by the wildfires due to strong winds, with roughly 19,000 people being evacuated from the island so far.

    More people due to be evacuated from three villages - Pefki, Lindos, Kalathos.

    A map showing the coverage of the fires on Rhodes.

  19. Rhodes wildfires are 'like a biblical catastrophe'

    Jenny Hill
    Reporting from Rhodes

    Charred trees are seen next to a beach on RhodesReuters

    Residents who work in the many hotels on Rhodes are also being forced to flee their homes along with the thousands of holidaymakers.

    "For the tourists, it was a really terrifying and bad experience, but for us, it's worse because we live here. Everything is burned," Edisa, aged 19, tells the BBC.

    Kyriakos Sarikas, the marketing manager for H Hotels collection which has six properties on Rhodes, says the fires are having a terrible impact on the local community,

    As he speaks to our colleagues on the island, the authorities announce the evacuation of several other villages.

    "It's like a biblical catastrophe," he says.

    You can read more on this story here.

  20. What's been happening?

    Holidaymakers fleeing wildfires in Greece arrive at Gatwick AirportReuters

    Hundreds of holidaymakers have arrived back in the UK on repatriation flights from Rhodes as wildfires continue on the island.

    Passengers have been flying into airports including Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, Birmingham and Bristol throughout Monday, with more expected today.

    Airlines have been cancelling flights and sending empty planes to the Greek island in order to evacuate British tourists.

    As many as 10,000 Britons were estimated to be staying in Rhodes.

    The island has been affected by wildfires for a week because of strong winds, with roughly 19,000 people being evacuated so far.

    It follows high temperatures exceeding 40C (104F) in parts of Greece in recent weeks.

    You can read more on the story here.