Wildfire forces evacuation of thousands on Greek island of Crete

A wildfire in eastern Crete has led to the evacuation of thousands of people, including tourists, due to its rapid spread across forested and mountainous areas.

The fire broke out on Wednesday near the village of Achlia and has since spread to three active fronts, making containment efforts very challenging. Strong winds and high temperatures have exacerbated the situation, with the fire service reporting that the blaze has split into separate fronts in Achlia, Ferma, and Skinokapsala. Authorities have ordered mass evacuations of hotels and residential areas, with around 5,000 people being displaced, mostly foreign tourists. The fire has caused extensive damage, with homes, greenhouses, villas, and businesses destroyed along the coast and in inland regions. The Greek government has deployed significant resources to combat the fire, including 230 firefighters, specialized teams, vehicles, and helicopters. Meanwhile, Turkey is also facing a severe wildfire crisis, with two people losing their lives in the western part of the country. These incidents occur as Europe experiences an intense early summer heatwave, leading to several heat-related fatalities in Spain, Italy, and France.