As the wildfire rages on the Greek island of Crete, authorities have evacuated approximately 1,500 individuals, including around 1,200 tourists, from their homes and accommodations. The evacuation comes as firefighters face substantial challenges in combating the flames due to intense winds and rugged terrain.
Greece is currently grappling with a severe heat wave that has aggravated conditions for wildfires, with more than 200 firefighters deployed across various fronts to douse the blaze. Vassilis Vathrakoyiannis, a spokesperson for Greece's fire service, emphasized during a news conference that the conditions are perilous, complicating their efforts.
The situation escalated through the night and into the morning, leading officials from the coast guard to mobilize swiftly for evacuations. In a statement that captured the severity of the scenario, Ierapetra’s mayor Manolis Frangoulis described the chaos: “It was like hell on earth,” as numerous fires sparked throughout the region due to the volatile winds displacing blazing pine cones.
As of now, there have been no reported injuries or fatalities linked to the ongoing wildfire. The local authorities continue to coordinate with emergency services to ensure the safety of those affected and regain control over the advancing flames.
