British tourists who fled Rhodes wildfires to be offered trauma counselling as locals battle to reopen hotels
BRITISH tourists who fled the Rhodes wildfires are to be offered trauma counselling — as islanders battle to reopen hotels.
Under-fire tour operator TUI — which was accused of abandoning its customers when the blazes broke out — is offering free, confidential therapy.
Bosses have emailed customers to tell them they can get support from the Centre for Crisis Psychology.
It provided counselling to survivors of the Tunisia beach massacre in 2015, in which 30 Brits were shot dead by a gunman.
Its experts were also drafted in to help witnesses to the 2017 Manchester Arena terror attack when 22 died and more than 1,000 were hurt.
The email said the advice — following an “extraordinary difficult” and “distressing” few days — was “there for you to call upon”.
Hundreds of Brits were among the 19,000 who fled their resorts as the fires approached in what was the biggest evacuation in Greek history.
Workmen were toiling flat-out yesterday to restore power lines, while hotel staff were using pressure washers to clean the deep film of ash off tables and chairs.
Burnt timbers and the twisted metal remains were removed at the Princess Andriana Resort & Spa at Kiotari.
Restaurant owner Sevi Petalas, 38, said: “Rhodes is safe. Our people need you to come.
“I understand that it is difficult for people to come and see ash and black trees but the sea is still blue.”
Yet British officials on the ground warned ash had fallen into reservoirs, affecting water supplies.
TUI, meanwhile, is offering full refunds and a £250 voucher per person towards a future holiday with the firm.
A spokesman said the blazes were out of its control.
Fuming June Jeremy, 68, of Cardiff, said: “The £250 vouchers don’t come near to making up for the stress and pain we went through.”
Mum-of-two Jess Bailey, 50, of Ottery Saint Mary, Devon, added: “Heads should roll. There’s been a complete dereliction of duty.
“There are so many questions that still remain unanswered and it’s high time they gave the answers.”