Wildfires in Rhodes Greece see Britons stranded on beaches in darkness as fire rages behind

Around 2,000 people were rescued by boats as a fast-spreading wildfire on the Greek island forced hundreds to flee their resorts and hotels on Saturday

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British tourist describes wildfires in Greece

A tourist stranded in Rhodes due to ongoing wildfires said he waited in terror on a beach as holidaymakers fled the flames.

An estimated 10,000 people evacuated from hotels and homes on the Greek island after the raging fire spread to the resorts of Kiotari and Lardo on Saturday, fleeing on boats from two separate beaches.

In the meantime, around 2,000 people have been rescued by boats with three coastguard vessels, an army lifeboat, a special forces rubber dinghy and 30 private sailboats assisting in the evacuation.

One of the evacuated hotels was the Gennadi Grand Resort on Gennadi Beach, where eerie dark clouds of smoke have accumulated.

A woman said people were stranded on the beach 'at a standstill' on Saturday night as they waited for rescue.

Are you caught up in the Rhodes wildfire drama? Contact us at webnews@mirror.co.uk

"A stranger picked us up and took us to Gennadi beach - or as close as possible," the teacher from Calderglen school in Scotland wrote on Twitter. "We are at an impasse. Hundreds of worried people here."

The teacher added, "I think everyone is out safe and sound, but we're all in random hotels/shops seeking refuge at the moment. Unfortunately, no way of knowing what's going on."

Desperate island vacationers have been asking airlines and tour operators for information as they await answers on what to do next.

People are evacuating by boat today (

Picture:

DAMIANIDIS LEFTERIS/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)