Nine Danes have been evacuated from the Greek island of Kos due to a forest fire, according to the travel company TUI. According to TUI Denmark’s communications manager, Mikkel Hansen, the decision to evacuate was made by local authorities, who chose to expand the area from which people should be evacuated. This area also included some of TUI’s guests.
The evacuated guests have been moved to a safe location, which is either a stadium or a conference room. After that, a decision will be made on what should happen next. The priority has been to ensure the safety of the guests. Throughout the day, the guests had been informed via SMS about the development of the fire and were instructed on how to proceed.
In addition to the nine Danish guests, TUI has also evacuated six Norwegians and around 50 Swedes, according to information from the Norwegian VG and the Swedish Aftonbladet. The travel company Spies informs that their guests have not been affected by the evacuation.
Mikkel Hansen stated that TUI had instructed their guests to have travel documents, passports, and other necessary belongings ready in case of an evacuation. “First and foremost, it’s about getting them to an alternative and safe location. Then we will see what needs to be done,” says Hansen, adding that they expect to move the guests to other hotels.
He emphasizes that the fire has been going on for some time, and that TUI has had alternative accommodation options ready from the beginning.