Massive Wildfire in Crete: Evacuation of Tourists
In Crete, Greece, thousands of people, including many foreign tourists, are being evacuated due to a significant wildfire raging in the eastern part of the island.
This is reported by "European Truth", citing Ekathimerini.
The fire ignited in an area between the towns of Ferma, Achlia, and Agia Fotia. Strong winds are causing the flames to spread, complicating firefighting efforts – according to the fire department, the blaze has split into three main fronts.
Fire service spokesman Giannis Vatrakogiannis stated that substantial resources are engaged in battling numerous hotspots. "Wind gusts reaching 9 on the Beaufort scale are continuously creating new fire spots, making it very difficult for firefighters to operate," he noted.
Currently, 230 firefighters, 46 fire engines, 10 helicopters, fire tankers, municipal engineering equipment, and drones are on site. Additionally, police, coast guard, and ambulance services are involved.
As directed by the head of the fire department, special investigative teams are looking into the causes of the fire.
According to Georgios Tsarakis, head of the Hotel Association of Ierapetra and southeast Crete, about 5,000 people, mostly foreign tourists staying in hotels, have been evacuated from the area.
During the night before Thursday, some evacuees were accommodated in hotels in neighboring areas, while others were placed in a sports hall in Ierapetra, which has been opened as a temporary shelter.
As of now, three individuals have been hospitalized in Ierapetra with respiratory issues, two with minor injuries, and one person with limited mobility.
The firefighting operation is ongoing, with additional forces arriving from Athens.
Due to the fire, many areas experienced power outages and mobile communication issues throughout the night. It is currently unclear how many houses have been destroyed as a result of the fire.
