Wildfire Reignites on Greek Island of Crete
A wildfire has reignited in Ierapetra on the Greek island of Crete. Strong winds reaching up to 8 Beaufort are fanning the flames around the Achlia settlement, hampering firefighting efforts.
- The wildfire originally ignited on Wednesday afternoon in a forested agricultural area near the village of Achlia before spreading rapidly. - Authorities ordered the evacuation of more than 1,500 people, including residents and tourists, from the settlements of Achlia, Ferma, Agia Fotia, Galini, and Koutsounari. Some officials estimated the number of evacuated tourists to be as high as 5,000. - A large-scale firefighting operation was mounted, involving over 230 firefighters, 13 ground teams, 46 fire engines, and 10 helicopters. Reinforcements, including specialized teams, were dispatched from Athens to assist. - The fire's front reportedly stretched beyond 6 kilometers, with its rapid growth attributed to unpredictable, gale-force winds that constantly changed the fire's direction. - Significant damage has been reported to homes, thousands of acres of farmland, and critical infrastructure like water supply networks, with some farm animals also perishing in the flames. - A state of emergency has been declared for the affected areas and is expected to last for three months to manage the crisis and support recovery. - Some stranded individuals were evacuated by boat from local beaches, while many others were provided temporary shelter in an indoor sports arena in Ierapetra. - Several people were treated for respiratory issues due to the dense smoke, which stretched as far as 10 kilometers from the fire, but no serious injuries have been reported.
