A wildfire on Crete, driven by strong winds, has led to the evacuation of over 1,500 residents and tourists. Firefighters are working hard to contain the blaze, which threatens homes and hotels in Ierapetra. Wind gusts complicate firefighting efforts, and local settlements have been evacuated for safety. Thousands of tourists have left the area independently, seeking refuge as firefighters continue to battle multiple wildfires across Greece and Turkey. The risk of further wildfires is significant due to ongoing high temperatures, particularly in July.
About 230 firefighters, along with 46 vehicles and helicopters, were battling the blaze on Thursday after it broke out 24 hours earlier near Ierapetra on the south-east coast of the country's largest island.
A fire brigade spokesperson said: There are wind gusts in the area, some measuring 9 on the Beaufort scale, triggering rekindling and hindering firefighting efforts.
An estimated 5,000 more holidaymakers left south-east Crete independently. Like the rest of Crete, Ierapetra takes in thousands of tourists in the summer.
The risk of destructive wildfires remained very considerable in July, the hottest month of the year in Greece, although the country had largely escaped the heatwave.
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