Wildfire on Crete Island, Greece, Forces Evacuation of Over 1,500 People

The fire, which started in a forested area of Lasithi on Crete, quickly spread to nearby settlements, causing damage to some homes and agricultural fields. According to Greek state broadcaster ERT, the blaze has prompted evacuations in several areas under the directive of the General Secretariat for Civil Protection.

Five people were hospitalized due to respiratory issues, while two others were treated for minor injuries. The fire has been difficult to contain due to strong winds, and efforts to control it are ongoing both from the air and on the ground.

Nektarios Papadakis, a civil protection official on Crete, told The Associated Press (AP), “This is a very difficult situation. It’s very hard to control the fire. We cannot control it at the moment.” He added that evacuated tourists were in good condition and had been relocated to basketball courts and other hotels in the area.

Approximately 150 firefighters are currently battling the flames, with over 1,500 people evacuated from homes and hotels so far.

Other Wildfires in Greece
The fire on Crete is not the only blaze causing concern in Greece. In Halkidiki, located 11 kilometers from Thessaloniki, another wildfire has spread to pine forests, leading to evacuation orders in some residential areas. Both fires are receiving aerial support to help contain the flames.