A major wildfire in Rethymno, Crete, remains out of control, as strong winds continue to push the blaze across a front that, according to Greek authorities, exceeds 15 kilometers. The toll so far is severe: thousands of people have been moved out of threatened areas and three firefighters have lost their lives in separate operations.
Long fire front and limited aerial intervention
According to the official version, ground forces were significantly reinforced this morning, with 224 firefighters, 53 vehicles and 11 foot teams deployed in the area.
Aerial assets took off as soon as daylight broke, but strong winds prevented intervention along most of the front. This has made it more difficult to stop the spread of the flames in southern Rethymno.
Mass evacuation in Agia Galini
Overnight, a large-scale evacuation operation was carried out in the tourist area of Agia Galini. Around 2,000 foreign tourists were removed from hotels and the places where they had been staying, and transferred to safe locations.
Local authorities claim that, in total, thousands of residents and visitors have been moved out of the wider area. Mattresses, food and basic necessities have been made available for their shelter, with the help of the Red Cross, police, municipalities and volunteers.
Damage to farmland, homes and livestock
The flames have engulfed agricultural land, olive groves, livestock shelters, animals and homes. According to the authorities, there is currently no direct threat to an inhabited area, however the situation remains highly dangerous.
The fire started on Wednesday afternoon in the Kria Vrisi area and, aided by the wind, spread quickly toward the south of the island.
Three firefighter deaths, alarm on other islands too
Two firefighters, aged 58 and 25, lost their lives after becoming trapped by the flames during the operation. A third firefighter died on another fire front in Gythio, in the Peloponnese.
In Plomari on Lesvos, the situation appears improved, although winds are creating new flare-ups. In Sitia, the fire has been contained to a hard-to-reach mountain peak and, according to the authorities, does not threaten inhabited areas.
Fires have also been recorded on other islands, including Paros, while Greek authorities remain on high alert due to winds in the Aegean, which are expected to reach up to force eight.
The picture emerging from Greece remains grave: a long fire front, mass evacuations and loss of life among firefighters, while weather conditions are keeping the situation at the edge of an emergency.