Crete wildfire displaces over 1K as Europe sizzles

Scientists say heatwaves have arrived earlier this year, spiking temperatures by up to 10 C (50 F) in some regions as warming seas encouraged the formation of a heat dome over much of Europe, trapping hot air masses

- REUTERS

Hundreds of firefighters fought a blaze Thursday on the island of Crete that scorched forests and olive groves and led to the evacuation of over 1,000 people, officials said, highlighting the region's vulnerability to destructive wildfires.

Gale-force winds and dry weather made for tinderbox conditions in Greece, hampering authorities' efforts' to tame the fires, as much of Europe baked in an early summer heatwave linked to the death of at least eight people across the region.

Around 230 firefighters, along with 46 engines and helicopters, were deployed to contain the conflagration on Crete, which broke out a day earlier near Ierapetra town on the southeastern coast of Greece's largest island.