Wildfire forces thousands of tourists to evacuate Crete

At least 5,000 tourists were forced to evacuate parts of Crete as a massive wildfire scorched forests and olive groves on the Greek island.

- RACHEL CLUN ALEXANDER BUTLER

Around 230 firefighters, along with 46 engines and helicopters, rushed to tackle the blaze yesterday, which broke out the day before in the forested hills near Lerapetra on the island’s southern coast.

People from villages including Achlia, Ferma, Agia Fotia and Koutsounari, as well as surrounding tourist resorts and hotels, were moved to Lerapetra’s indoor sports hall for shelter.

Winds of up to 50mph spread the blaze south, as reinforcements flew in from Athens to help put out the fire. The inferno destroyed homes in places including Agia Fotia, while at least four people were rushed to hospital after inhaling smoke, according to the BBC.

The blaze encroached upon houses and hotels that were earlier evacuated, stoked by intense winds that “rekindled and hindered firefighting efforts”, fire brigade spokesperson Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said.