Wildfires Sweep Greece, Thousands Evacuated / Tourists Taken by Boat from Crete Coastal Town

An evacuation operation is under way by sea in the coastal town of Agios Vasileios in central Greece, where hundreds of people, most of them tourists, are fleeing a powerful wildfire. The flames, fanned by strong winds, have spread rapidly toward residential areas.

Greek authorities say more than 200 people have already been taken to safety, while around 100 others are expected to be evacuated from the area by boat.

The blaze broke out on Friday morning near Agios Vasileios, in the Viotia region, leaving around 500 people stranded, mainly visitors. Initially, residents and tourists were instructed to head toward the inland part of the town, but the intensifying fire made evacuation by sea necessary.

Meanwhile, firefighters on the island of Crete are continuing their efforts to bring another major wildfire under control. Thousands of hectares of land have so far been engulfed by the flames, while around 8,000 people have been forced to temporarily leave their homes and tourist areas.

Fires have also been reported on the islands of Paros, Andros and Kalymnos. High temperatures and strong winds are significantly hampering the emergency teams’ response efforts, authorities have warned.

Greece is among a group of European countries battling major wildfires following several successive heatwaves. These conditions have fueled the rapid spread of the flames. Scientists say that although most fires are linked to human activity, climate change is increasing their frequency and intensity.

Similar difficulties have also been reported in Portugal and Spain. Near Valpaços, Portugal, hundreds of firefighters are battling a blaze that has burned around 15,000 hectares, including vineyards and olive groves, while five people have been injured.

In Spain, the wildfire situation in the Ávila region has stabilized. However, authorities have raised the alarm over the possibility of new fires breaking out due to another heatwave.

Wildfires also remain a problem in Turkey. The Ministry of Agriculture says four active fires are still burning along the Mediterranean coast, including in areas near Antalya. A total of 206 fires have been recorded across the country since Wednesday.