Evacuations on Crete as Wildfires Rage Amidst Heatwave

Mon Oct 20 2025 02:58:31 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Nearly 1,500 individuals, primarily tourists, were evacuated from Crete as fierce wildfires engulfed the island, worsened by extreme heat and strong winds.

Firefighters are battling a significant wildfire on the Greek island of Crete, leading to the evacuation of around 1,500 people. The region's ongoing heatwave has contributed to the challenging conditions for firefighting efforts.

On July 3, 2025, dramatic scenes unfolded on the Greek island of Crete, where nearly 1,500 people, including a large number of tourists, were hastily evacuated due to a rapidly spreading wildfire. The island is currently grappling with a severe heatwave, creating ideal conditions for the flames to thrive.

Approximately 200 firefighters engaged in a strenuous battle against the blaze, which was further complicated by fierce winds and the challenging mountainous landscape. According to Vassilis Vathrakoyiannis, spokesperson for Greece’s fire service, the combination of these factors has significantly hampered firefighting efforts.

The evacuation effort was conducted swiftly by local authorities, including members of the coast guard, as the fire escalated overnight into Thursday. Manolis Frangoulis, the mayor of Ierapetra, reported that around 1,200 of those evacuated were tourists, while no injuries or fatalities have been reported.

Describing the chaos, Mayor Frangoulis remarked, “It was like hell on earth,” recalling how flames erupted unpredictably as powerful gusts propelled blazing pine cones throughout the area.

As firefighters continue to grapple with the inferno, the situation remains dire, forcing many to flee their accommodations and homes on the picturesque island renowned for its beauty and tourism appeal.