A family from Flachgau has had to endure three days since Saturday in a hot basketball hall in the south of Rhodes. Leaving, officials said, would have been at your own risk. The family of five wants to take the return flight on Tuesday for 6,000 euros.
The first three days of vacation in Rhodes were an absolute dream. A family from Flachgau has been in a holiday hell on the Greek island since Saturday. Kerstin (41), her husband and their three children survive in a sports arena. In addition to hundreds of other holidaymakers who fled the devastating forest fires in the south of the island and are now waiting in an emergency shelter for valid information.
Five plane tickets home worth 6,000 euros
The reality is still Rhodes and therefore forest fires: “On Saturday clouds of smoke appeared out of nowhere, a fire broke out on a mountain,” says Kerstin. She and her family immediately packed their bags. “We wanted to go north by bus, but we weren’t allowed to board. That’s why we left for Lindos at 42 degrees.” After a whole day’s travel, the holidaymakers finally arrived at the emergency shelter, a sports arena. Until yesterday, the people of Flachgau were killing time there in a very small space: “What bothers us most is the lack of information from the tour operator. We were all seriously offered that we can go on holiday with the five of us here in the hall until Saturday. Leaving is at your own risk. We felt trapped.”
Other hotels are overbooked due to the evacuation campaigns and driving north to the airport is hardly possible. So the citizens of Salzburg took the initiative themselves. “We have now booked a flight home for Tuesday. We’ve had enough and won’t be happy until we get home safely!” The price for the five tickets would be around 6,000 euros.
Holidaymakers from Bürmoos have been sitting in a reasonably comfortable location since yesterday. The “Krone” reported that Petra Stern and family flew from Salzburg to Rhodes only on Saturday and were warned of the fires and immediately taken to an alternative hotel. “Since Monday, we have at least our own hotel room.” The first offers for return flights are slowly coming in. “The question is also who wants to do the airport chaos!”
Travel price reduction realistic for experts
Thomas Flöckner, head of consumer advice at the Salzburg Workers’ Chamber, believes that many travelers to Rhodes cannot claim compensation due to force majeure. A discount on travel expenses. “It is possible with all documented defects.” In other words: keep documents and keep track of what didn’t fit on vacation.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
