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Thousands of UK holidaymakers evacuated from Cuba resorts
Nearly 2,000 Thomas Cook customers were evacuated from the Cayo Coco region of Cuba as the island prepared for the arrival of Hurricane Irma on Friday.
Thomson said all of its customers in Cayo Santa Maria were moved to Varadero by the Cuban authorities, but it did not disclose numbers.
Thomas Cook said its customers were accommodated in hotels and none had been required to stay in the island’s hurricane shelters.
"We are grateful to our customers for their patience during what is a concerning time for many," said the operator in a statement.
It said all of customers in the region are in hotels which have been built to withstand a hurricane.
"This is the safest place for them to remain as the hurricane passes through the region. We are sending an additional 16 Special Assistance Team members to Varadero, and we continue to work with the local authorities to make sure all of our customers are as comfortable and well-informed as possible," it added.
Customers due to travel to Cuba and the Dominican Republic up to and including September 10 were offered free cancellations and ammendments.
Customers due to travel to Orlando up to and including Monday 11 September are also able to amend or cancel their travel plans.
All outbound flights from the UK to Orlando, Cayo Coco and Varadero were cancelled up to Sunday 10 September, some return flights were brought forward on Saturday, while others flew out empty to pick up returning flights on Sunday.
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Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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