Crete, Greece: A major wildfire has swept across the Greek island of Crete, burning swathes of forest and olive groves and forcing the evacuation of over 5,000 people, including both residents and tourists. The conflagration, which broke out on Wednesday afternoon near Ierapetra town on the southeastern coast of Greece’s largest island, is being battled by hundreds of firefighters.
Approximately 230 firefighters, supported by 46 fire engines and 10 water-dropping helicopters, have been deployed to contain the blaze. However, gale-force winds, with gusts reportedly reaching up to 50 miles per hour, have significantly hampered efforts, constantly creating new outbreaks and making firefighting extremely challenging.
The fast-moving flames reached residential areas and hotels in settlements such as Ferma, Achlia, and Koutsounari, inflicting damage to some homes. While several residents were treated for breathing difficulties, there have been no reports of serious injuries. Evacuated individuals were moved to temporary shelters, including a sports venue in Ierapetra, and some were transported by boat to safer areas of the island.
Officials have issued mobile phone alerts for evacuations, urging residents not to return to try and save their properties. The situation remains difficult, with civil protection officials noting that the fire is “very hard to contain.”
Greece, along with other countries in the Mediterranean, is situated in a region that scientists have identified as a “wildfire hotspot,” where blazes are common during hot and dry summers. This incident underscores the increasing vulnerability of the area to destructive wildfires, particularly as climate change contributes to more extreme weather conditions.
