Amid an intense heat wave affecting southern Europe, around 1,500 individuals, primarily tourists, were evacuated from Crete as firefighters faced gale-force winds while battling a raging wildfire. Local officials declared the situation highly dangerous but reported no injuries.
Firefighters Confront Wildfires as 1,500 Tourists Evacuated from Crete
Firefighters Confront Wildfires as 1,500 Tourists Evacuated from Crete
A fierce wildfire draws thousands of firefighters' efforts while authorities prioritize the safety of tourists evacuating from the Greek island.
As wildfires ravaged parts of Crete, local authorities moved swiftly to ensure the safety of approximately 1,500 individuals, most of whom were tourists enjoying the peak summer season on the Greek island. Heavy winds and extreme heat, stemming from a pervasive heatwave across southern Europe, significantly complicated firefighting efforts, leading to an unprecedented evacuation.
The island saw the mobilization of over 200 firefighters working diligently on multiple fronts to contain the blaze. Vassilis Vathrakoyiannis, the spokesperson for Greece's fire service, highlighted the challenging conditions posed by the mountainous terrain and strong winds that spread the fire rapidly.
The mayor of Ierapetra, Manolis Frangoulis, confirmed that about 1,200 of those evacuated were tourists staying in local hotels and rental properties. “It was like hell on earth,” he described the chaotic scene, where numerous fire outbreaks occurred, each ignited by strong winds tossing flaming pine cones across the landscape. Fortunately, reports indicate that there have been no casualties or injuries attributed to the wildfires as authorities manage the evacuations and mitigate risks for those affected.
