By M10News International Desk
© M10News 2025 – All Rights Reserved
Crete, Greece – More than 1,500 people have been evacuated from homes, hotels, and resorts on the Greek island of Crete as intense wildfires continue to rage through its southern coastline, authorities confirmed Thursday.
Fanned by strong winds and high temperatures, the fires broke out near the port city of Ierapetra and have rapidly consumed vast swathes of forest and farmland in the surrounding hills.
230 Firefighters and Aircraft Deployed
Greece’s fire department said 230 firefighters are battling the blaze with the aid of 10 water-dropping aircraft, while civil protection teams and coast guard units remain on standby.
Two people were evacuated by sea overnight, with six private vessels on alert for further maritime evacuations should roads become impassable.
“This is a very difficult situation. The fire is extremely hard to contain,” said Nektarios Papadakis, a senior civil protection official, speaking to the Associated Press. He confirmed that all tourists forced to evacuate had been safely relocated to emergency shelters, including an indoor basketball arena and nearby hotels.
Properties Damaged, Ash Covers Resorts
Several buildings were damaged as flames pushed through hillside forests toward residential areas. Local officials said some residents had to be treated for breathing difficulties, though no serious injuries have been reported.
Footage from the Ierapetra region showed plumes of ash rising into the night sky as flames crested mountain ridges and crept toward the coastal resorts of Ferma and Achlia.
Emergency alerts were sent to residents via mobile phone, urging evacuations and warning locals not to return to their homes to defend property.
Specialised firefighting crews were seen using hand tools to dig firebreaks into the hillsides in a desperate bid to slow the spread of the blaze.
Europe Faces Extreme Heat Crisis
The disaster in Crete is part of a wider pattern of climate-related crises unfolding across southern Europe. The Greek Fire Service has declared very high wildfire risk levels for Crete and several other regions in the country.
In Corfu, a separate tragedy occurred on Thursday when a 67-year-old British man died aboard a cruise ship docked at the port. Local port authorities confirmed his death and said an investigation is underway.
Meanwhile, in France, a 10-year-old American girl collapsed and died at the Palace of Versailles, reportedly from heat-related complications worsened by pre-existing health conditions.
In Spain, temperatures have soared into the low 40s Celsius, sparking wildfires in multiple provinces and overwhelming emergency services.
Climate Emergency Grips Southern Europe
The record-breaking heatwave is putting southern Europe under unprecedented strain. Health officials across the continent have issued red alerts as soaring temperatures threaten lives, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure.
Crete, a top destination for international tourism, has become the latest flashpoint in what experts warn could be another summer of climate-fuelled emergencies across the Mediterranean.
Reporting by M10News Global Team | Contact: info@m10news.com
© 2025 M10News. Reproduction or redistribution without permission is prohibited.
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