Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
16 August 2012 09:24
Forest fires have prompted thousands of residents in La Gomera and Tenerife to be evacuated
British holidaymakers in the parts of the Canary Islands affected by forest fires have been urged to maintain contact with the Foreign Office.
Thousands of residents had to be evacuated from their homes after wildfires struck La Gomera and Tenerife, with 18 towns and villages across the two islands affected.
As yet, holiday resorts popular among British tourists have escaped unscathed, although some excursions in Tenerife have been suspended for the time being.
Travel association ABTA and the Foreign Office are both keeping a close eye on developments, with the latter advising British nationals to stay in touch.
Several forest fires continue to affect the Canaries, Galicia on the Spanish mainland, and the Greek island of Kefalonia, ABTA said. Spokesman Sean Tipton added: "Resorts have not been affected by the fires, though as a precaution tour operators have suspended some inland excursions on Tenerife."
Martin Rothwell, managing partner at Rothwell & Towler, said the situation as it stands at present would not normally be covered by standard travel insurance as such policies do not cover loss of enjoyment from not being able to visit a particular resort or location while on holiday.
"If tourists need to be relocated it will generally be a situation which tour operators would manage," he explained.
"We are however closely monitoring the situation and will provide emergency medical assistance to insured clients should they be injured as a result of accidents arising from these fires," Mr Rothwell added.
19 May 2018
A recent study in Taiwan has revealed that heart attacks occur more frequently in cold weather - with the figure increasing "dramatically" when the temperature drops below 15C (59F).
[more...]
18 May 2018
A team of scientists have managed to successfully conduct a "memory transplant" between snails by transferring RNA, a form of genetic information, from one snail to another.
17 May 2018
A new study has found that certain types of exercise do not prevent the onset or worsening of dementia and may even contribute to further cognitive impairment.
16 May 2018
The average British child has visited four European cities and been on three long-haul holidays as well as skiing twice - all before their 10th birthday.
15 May 2018
Ethiopian Airlines has unveiled a new "landmark" route from Manchester Airport to the north African city of Ethiopia.
12 May 2018
Health experts have expressed concern at recent outbreaks of measles across England.
Cinema drinks contain "unacceptable" levels of bacteria
10 May 2018
The HPV vaccine offered to teenage girls has proved to be safe and effective in preventing the virus that causes cervical cancer, an independent review has revealed.
09 May 2018
A new blood test for detecting peanut allergies is said to be more cost-efficient and less risky than previously-used methods.
A recent study suggests that women with a high weekly fast food consumption and who don't eat enough fruit are more likely to have trouble conceiving.
04 May 2018
One of the main treatments prescribed for eczema in children has proven to be ineffective as treatment of the condition, a study has found.
03 May 2018
Ninety percent of councils have cut funding for weight management, sexual health and addiction services in a bid to reduce spending, new research has revealed.