In a dramatic response to a growing wildfire, around 1,500 individuals, predominantly tourists, were evacuated from their homes and hotels in Crete on Thursday. The blaze ignited amid a severe heat wave affecting Greece and much of southern Europe, creating conditions ripe for wildfires.
Firefighters, numbering over 200, are engaged in tackling the fire from multiple fronts, but they have faced significant challenges due to a combination of gale-force winds and the island's difficult mountainous terrain. Vassilis Vathrakoyiannis, a spokesperson for Greece's fire service, provided updates during a press conference, noting the escalating intensity of the situation.
In the hours leading up to the evacuation, flames rapidly spread overnight, prompting local authorities to take swift action. Mayor Manolis Frangoulis of Ierapetra reported that approximately 1,200 of the evacuees were tourists caught in the fire's path. Fortunately, there have been no confirmed reports of injuries or fatalities related to the incident.
Describing the chaos, Mayor Frangoulis likened the scene to "hell on earth," highlighting the unpredictable nature of the fire as it created new hotspots, igniting repeatedly as the winds shifted.
The firefighting efforts are ongoing as authorities remain vigilant, working tirelessly to protect lives and property on the popular island destination.
