Hundreds Evacuated by Sea as Greek Wildfire Swings
A wildfire erupted near the coastal town of Agios Vasileios in central Greece on Friday morning, forcing roughly 500 people—most of them tourists—to flee the rapidly spreading flames by boat. The blaze spread quickly, aided by strong winds, and edged the town in a ring of fire.
Greek firefighters are also battling a large blaze on the island of Crete that began earlier this week, burning thousands of hectares and prompting the temporary evacuation of 8,000 residents. The Crete fire remains stubborn and hotspots persist.
Across Europe, the heatwave has created a tinder‑box for fires. Spain reports more than 200,000 hectares burned so far, including a 15,000‑hectare vineyard blaze in northern Portugal, while fires in the Avila region represent the country’s largest recorded wildfire. Turkey is also experiencing at least four active fires along its Mediterranean coast, near Antalya.
Authorities warned that the high temperatures and winds make the region extremely vulnerable, with the risk of new or re‑ignited fires until at least Sunday.
The latest blaze underscores how climate change and human activity combine to fuel escalating wildfire frequency worldwide. As evacuation centres fill, emergency workers continue to search the town for those still trapped, while broader European firefighting efforts persist.
