ATHENS: A massive wildfire sweeping across the Greek island of Crete has forced around 8,000 people to evacuate, while three firefighters have lost their lives as Greece battles multiple blazes amid strong winds and extreme weather conditions.
Authorities say the wildfire continues to spread rapidly in the Rethymno region, with powerful winds hampering firefighting operations.
Thousands evacuated as fire spreads
The blaze erupted on July 29 and has already scorched thousands of homes and large areas of agricultural land.
Officials said the fire front has stretched beyond 15 kilometres, making containment increasingly difficult.
Residents and tourists have been evacuated from affected communities as emergency services continue efforts to prevent further destruction.
Three firefighters killed
Two firefighters, identified as 58-year-old Emmanouil Stratidakis and 25-year-old Pantelis Diamantakis, were killed after becoming trapped by flames near Krya Vrysi on the island of Crete.
A third firefighter also died while battling a separate wildfire near the Peloponnese port city of Gytheio.
The deaths have underscored the dangers facing emergency crews responding to multiple fires across the country.
Powerful winds hamper firefighting efforts
Rethymno Deputy Regional Governor Maria Lioni described the situation as a “dark day” for the region.
Meanwhile, Crete Deputy Regional Governor Giorgos Tsapakos said firefighting aircraft had been unable to operate because of extremely strong winds.
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“The winds are so intense that aircraft can’t operate,” he said.
Southern Europe faces severe wildfire season
The crisis in Greece comes as several countries across southern Europe battle devastating wildfires.
According to the report:
- More than 330,000 people have been displaced in multiple evacuations.
- Spain is experiencing its largest recorded forest fire, which has burned over 43,000 hectares near Madrid.
- France’s Gironde region has suffered its worst wildfire since 1949, with around 42,000 hectares destroyed.
- Wildfires also continue near Valencia, while Turkish authorities say most fires in their country have been brought under control.
Climate change raises concerns
European Union officials have warned that the wildfire season could worsen in the coming weeks, with additional outbreaks feared in Italy and Greece.
Scientists say rising temperatures, prolonged droughts and increasingly extreme weather linked to climate change are contributing to more intense and destructive wildfire seasons across Europe.
