York campaigners say fire in Rhodes shows we need to do more to protect our planet
Heatwaves have made it easier for the blaze to spread
Climate change activists say the fires in Rhodes shows more needs to be done to protect our planet.
While it's not clear how the blaze began - heatwaves in Europe have created very dry conditions which has made it easier to spread.
"I feel absolutely heartbroken"
Laura Autumn Cox is a climate activist based in York: "The fires in Rhodes won't be the last we see this Summer, and they will become the new normal if we don't develop a globally, co ordinated response to climate change, that urged companies to not just off set their carbon emissions but to eliminate them in the first place."
"We know that global warming is contributing to hotter temperatures and that this dry weather helps the fires burn longer and that is what leads to destruction and displacement."
"When I watch the videos of the fires in Rhodes, I feel absolutely heartbroken it's such a deeply painful loss, but I also feel anger because it's not until the world is quite literally on fire that people sit up and think, why is this happening, that is what it takes."
Meanwhile hundreds of holidaymakers have landed back in the UK following wildfires on Rhodes, with more repatriation flights set to take place.
As many as 10,000 Britons are estimated to be on the popular Greek island, part of which has been ravaged by the blazes, forcing many to sleep in schools, airports and sports centres.
Rishi Sunak has urged people to remain in touch with tour operators, some of which have begun sending repatriation flights to bring people back to the UK.
Tui confirmed that holidaymakers returned on "three dedicated flights" overnight, with plans to bring more back "as soon as possible" in place.
Jet2 said a repatriation flight carrying 95 passengers landed at Leeds Bradford Airport on Sunday evening before another four leave the island later on Monday.
Airline easyJet will operate two flights totalling 421 seats on Monday and a third on Tuesday, in addition to its nine scheduled flights to the Greek island.
However, people have not been discouraged from going to Rhodes, a decision Downing Street has defended.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "Our advice is focused on the safety of British nationals and enabling people to make an informed decision about the situation on the ground.
"The current situation is impacting on a limited area in Rhodes and whilst it's right to keep it under review and it's possible that the advice may change we do not want to act out of proportion to the situation on the ground."
Meanwhile, a Foreign Office spokesman confirmed a team has arrived on Rhodes to support travel operators in bringing Britons home.