Wildfire Destroys Homes, Forces Mass Evacuations on Crete

A large, out-of-control wildfire fueled by gale-force winds is raging for a third day on the Greek island of Crete, having already destroyed homes and forced the mass evacuation of several villages and tourist hotels in the southeastern Lasithi region.

The blaze, which broke out Tuesday near the coastal

area of Achlia, intensified dramatically overnight, threatening multiple communities near the city of Ierapetra. Authorities have confirmed that homes have been destroyed in the village of Ferma.

Emergency alerts have been issued for the wider area, with residents and tourists in the villages of Agia Fotia, Galini, and Koutsounari ordered to evacuate as a wall of flames, pushed by winds reaching up to 9 on the Beaufort scale, swept through the dry, rural landscape.

The evacuation operation, coordinated by the Hellenic Fire Service and police, is ongoing. Some tourists were rescued by boat from beaches earlier on Wednesday as the flames approached the coastline. At least five people have been treated for minor injuries and respiratory issues.

More than 150 firefighters, supported by specialized ground teams and vehicles, are battling the blaze. Aerial support, including helicopters from Athens, has been dispatched, but the powerful winds are severely hampering their efforts.

“Our first priority is the protection of human life,” said the region’s governor, Stavros Arnaoutakis.

The fire on Crete is the latest major blaze to strike Greece this week, following other destructive fires near Athens and on the island of Chios, as the country confronts an increasingly dangerous summer fire season.

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Keywords
Τυχαία Θέματα