Hotels and Homes Evacuated on Greek Island of Crete as Wildfire Burns out of Control
A fast-moving wildfire, fueled by gale-force winds, has forced the evacuation of over 1,500 people from homes and hotels on the southern Greek island of Crete. The blaze, burning through forests and farmland near Ierapetra, continues to rage out of control.
More than 230 firefighters, supported by 10 water-dropping aircraft, are battling the flames. Strong winds have fanned the fire across hillside forests and toward residential areas, damaging homes and threatening coastal resorts. Clouds of ash filled the night sky as the fire crested ridgelines and advanced dangerously close to villages like Ferma and Achlia.
Civil protection officials said two people were evacuated by sea overnight, with six private boats on standby for further rescues. Tourists were safely relocated to shelters, including a local basketball arena and hotels in unaffected areas.
“It’s a very difficult situation. The fire is very hard to contain. Right now, they cannot contain it,” said Nektarios Papadakis of the regional civil protection authority.
Emergency alerts were sent to residents’ phones, warning them not to return to threatened areas. Several people were treated for breathing issues, but no serious injuries have been reported so far.
The fire risk remains extremely high across Crete and parts of southern Greece. Wildfires are a recurring threat during the country’s hot, dry summers. Earlier this year, firefighters responded to dozens of blazes nationwide.
Greece experienced one of its deadliest wildfires in 2018, when more than 100 people died in the coastal town of Mati, some trapped in their homes and others drowning while trying to escape the flames.
