In Tenerife, firefighters are still fighting a major fire, but tour operator TUI assures that their travelers are not currently in the danger zone. “But we are monitoring the situation.”
The fire in Tenerife broke out in the night from Tuesday to Wednesday in the national park near the volcano El Teide. The fire is spreading further and further and is difficult to extinguish due to the difficult terrain with steep ravines. Meanwhile, the fire would have spread over an area of about 1,800 hectares within a perimeter of 22 kilometers. The more than 200 firefighters and soldiers, with the help of 13 fire-fighting aircraft, have difficulty getting the fires under control. Several villages have already been evacuated.
Tenerife is also a popular holiday destination for Belgians. Tour operator TUI assures that all their travelers are currently outside the danger zone. “We have one hotel that is closer to the source of the fire. That is the hotel Catalonia Punta del Rey. But even that hotel is more than 25 kilometers away from the fire. There is no immediate danger,” says spokesperson Piet Demeyere. “About 95 percent of our travelers are in the south of the island. Yesterday they were still bothered by swirling ashes through the clouds of smoke, but I hear that too should be over. Our representatives have been here since this morning (Thursday, ed.) present in the hotels and we are no longer asked to leave, for example. Actually, it’s earlier now business as usual.”
Demeyere says he understands that travelers have questions and want to know what to do, but “we will not contact travelers if they are not in a dangerous situation. If they contact us, we will respond,” he says. “Strictly speaking, there was no reason at the moment. For example, we never considered evacuating as a precaution. But we will of course keep an eye on the situation.”