Shocking before and after footage has revealed the charred remains of sun loungers and pool-side umbrellas at a luxury five-star resort and spa in Rhodes that was ravaged by wildfires.
Lindos Imperial Resort and Spa, in the village of Kiotari, was one of the hotels evacuated when wildfires swept through the Greek island. A video shared on TikTok showed the resort’s scorched poolside area.
The clip first pans around to show families relaxing on sun loungers while children are playing happily in the pool.
But the footage then switches to the pool area after the evacuation. The devastating scenes show what is left of destroyed sun loungers, with most of what was there in the first clip completely incinerated. The ground is covered in ash.
In a statement posted on Instagram, Lindos Imperial said it is ‘temporarily out of operation until further notice’ as a result of the ongoing wildfires.
Shocking video captures luxury hotel in Lindos before and after devastating wildfires
Lindos Imperial Resort and Spa, in the village of Kiotari, was one of the hotels evacuated when wildfires swept through the Greek island. A video shared on TikTok showed the resort’s scorched poolside area
The clip first pans around to show families relaxing on sun loungers while children are playing happily in the pool. But the footage then switches to the pool area after the evacuation. The devastating scenes show what is left of destroyed sun loungers, with most of what was there in the first clip completely incinerated
In a statement posted on Instagram, Lindos Imperial said it is ‘temporarily out of operation until further notice’ as a result of the ongoing wildfires
Yesterday, a woman who had been staying at the hotel wrote on Facebook: ‘For anyone wondering, staying at Lindos imperial and all were evacuated yesterday.
‘No further information but everyone had to leave without their belongings and were taken to other locations.
‘A lot still without a bed in a sports hall in Faliraki. (Footage recorded by my sister who was taken on a boat away from the hotel).’
Commenting an update on the situation a few hours later, she added: ‘Update. They let us go to collect belongings today and surrounding areas are burnt and a lot of ash everywhere. Beach burnt.’
She went on to say that the hotel itself seemed ‘intact’, adding that the resort had informed her the building was not on fire.
In its statement, the hotel said that for those with personal belongings at the property, it is open for them to collect these. However it added that transfers there cannot be provided.
‘The safety and well-being of our guests and staff are our utmost priority and we have taken this precautionary measure to ensure everyone’s security,’ the statement said.
‘We want to emphasis that we are in constant communication with the local authorities, closely monitoring the situation. Rest assured, we are taking all necessary measures to address the situation responsibly and ensure a safe environment for everyone.
‘During this challenging time, we extend our deepest gratitude for your understanding and support. If you have any concerns or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team.
‘We will keep you informed with any updates regarding the status of Lindos Imperial and look forward to welcoming you back once the situation is resolved.’
A spokesperson for the hotel told MailOnline: ‘What is shown is one small part of the exterior landscape of the hotel and is not a true reflection of the area.
‘We would like to advise that the fire was contained to the poolside area and the rest of the property has not been affected.’
The safety and wellbeing of our guests and staff is our utmost priority. We are in constant communication with the local authorities, closely monitoring the situation and will re-open once it is safe to do so.
Another video shows a couple who have also been forced to evacuate Lindos Imperial. A montage of shocking clips show their march to safety and rescue by boat, as well as an orange burning sky.
Mother Joanna Hughes revealed the heartbreaking moment that her five-year-old daughter Emilia asked if they were going to die as they fled the raging blaze.
Astonishing video footage shows a helicopter flying overhead amid wildfires in Lindos
In a statement posted on Instagram, Lindos Imperial (file photo pictured) said it is ‘temporarily out of operation until further notice’ as a result of the ongoing wildfires
A man walks next to the burnt sunbeds and umbrellas at a beach on the Aegean Sea island of Rhodes, southeastern Greece, on Monday, July 24
Another video shows a couple who have also been forced to evacuate Lindos Imperial
A montage of shocking clips show their march to safety as well as an orange burning sky
The terrifying clip also shows the evacuated pair rescue journey as they film lifeboats taking tourists and locals to safety
Ms Hughes, 35, and her husband Jon had paid £3,600 for a 10-night stay at Lindos Imperial in Kiotari but were forced to abandon their belongings and evacuate the hotel which later burned down.
‘We were trying to keep ourselves together but Emilia could see that it wasn’t right. She could sense it,’ Ms Hughes told The Sun.
‘She did say a couple of times “Are we going to die?”. That is something I won’t forget for a long time. ‘I’ve not stopped crying since we got home.’
Thousands of Britons from Rhodes began today, as the wildfires on the blaze-ravaged Greek island remain out of control with more evacuations needed. The crisis is caused by Europe’s 40C-plus Cerberus heatwave.
Holidaymakers have described the ‘living nightmare’ of being woken by air raid sirens and being forced to run into the sea as fires swept through forests and hills above their hotels, comparing it to a ‘disaster movie’.
Wildfires continued to burn across the Greek island of Rhodes on Monday, forcing yet more people to flee homes, hotels and resorts on foot walking miles in scorching temperatures
Mother Joanna Hughes, 35, revealed the heartbreaking moment that her five-year-old daughter Emilia asked if they were going to die as they fled the raging blaze. Pictured: Ms Hughes, her husband Jon and Emilia
Burnt out cars and homes have been pictured as wildfires sweep Rhodes. Above: Damage done by the wildfires in Kiotari village on the island
A firefighter tries to put out a wildfire in Kiotari village, on Rhodes island, Greece – with what looks like just a garden hose
One woman who was trying to seek help for her daughter said: ‘My daughter Kell, her husband and two young children along with another family of four had to run for their lives from the Princess Andriana Resort & Spa.
‘They have walked for miles to escape and no one except local people have given them drinks.’
‘We are in the seventh day of the fire and it hasn’t been controlled,’ Rhodes Deputy Mayor Konstantinos Taraslias told state broadcaster ERT. ‘This is really stressful for us, because it can affect other areas that are safe and operate as normal.
‘The tourists are not able to know where the wildfires are in Rhodes. Even the Greeks can’t really understand where the wildfires are located in the island’.
