Holidaymakers sent their photos of the forest fires in Greece. John Hannigan: "This image was taken from our hotel, which we evacuated one minute later after flames spread rapidly."

Tourists were forced to flee their hotels and escape to the beach after the fire raced down from nearby hills. Photo: Jo Leaney

Viv Reeves: "We were watching from the balcony, planes dropping water bombs. The wind changed direction and we had to run to the beach as the fire headed our way."

Lyndsey Jones, an eyewitness stranded in her hotel, was lucky it had not been burnt down. Photo: Lyndsey Jones

The fire, fanned by strong winds, spread rapidly across the peninsula, forcing thousands of tourists and local residents out of their homes. Photo: Christina Aristodemou

Foreign and local tourists have been evacuated from hotels which were in the path of advancing forest fires. Photo: Sara Ditton

Tourists watched last night's fire from the beach in Pathakori, where many had to spend the night. Photo: Edd Bolingbroke