UK tourists evacuated on Rhodes

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A helicopter tries to put out some of the flames.

Hundreds of British tourists have returned to their hotels after being evacuated as forest fires sweep the Greek island of Rhodes.

More than 2,000 holidaymakers from across Europe were moved to avoid smoke in the south east of the island.

They included 324 First Choice customers who were moved from their hotel in Kiotari and spent Friday night in alternative holiday accommodation.

The fires have destroyed more than 5,000 hectares of forest.

The tourists were moved by coach from the Kiotari Bay Hotel on Friday evening.

The smoke has now cleared and the guests are back at the hotel. New arrivals have also checked in.

A Kiotari Bay spokeswoman said the authorities had given the go ahead for the guests to return after the wind changed direction.

"We sent all the guests away due to the smoke, not because we were afraid," she said.

"There wasn't any risk of fire, but due to the smoke we decided it would be better for the guests to be moved."

Two Thomas Cook customers were moved from an apartment in the Kiotari area as a "precautionary measure", a spokesman for the company said.

'Well prepared'

France, Italy and Cyprus are sending specialist aircraft to help fight the fires, which have been burning for four days.

The Federation of Tour Operators said hotels were well-prepared for such events.

A spokesman said: "Sadly, it's not uncommon at this time of year to get forest fires in parts of Greece and Spain so operators are pretty well geared up to deal with it.

"The standard contingency plan is to move people to safe areas with other tourist accommodation, if it becomes necessary."

The Foreign Office said it had no information to suggest any Britons had been hurt as a result of the fires.

In an advice statement, it advises people heading to Rhodes - officially in a state of emergency - to contact their local tour operator or hotel for further information.