FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The southern Greek island of Crete has been engulfed by huge fires fueled by strong winds and extreme heat, forcing the evacuation of around 5,000 people, including residents and tourists.
The fires, which broke out on Wednesday evening, have created an emergency situation in areas near the tourist town of Ierapetra, in the southeast of the island, adding to concerns about a repeat of the devastating fires that have hit Greece in recent years.
According to Yorgos Tzarakis, president of the Regional Hotel Association, about 3,000 tourists and 2,000 residents were evacuated overnight as a “precautionary measure” to ensure their safety. The evacuations were carried out quickly due to the rapid spread of the flames, which were fueled by strong winds and dry conditions typical of the Greek summer, but exacerbated by climate change.
The area’s deputy prefect, Yannis Androulakis, told Greek broadcaster Mega that “evacuations were carried out in many hotels and tourists were safely transferred to a closed gym in the municipality of Ierapetra .” He added that firefighting aircraft were unable to intervene during the night due to difficult conditions, making it necessary to immediately evacuate people from the endangered areas. According to Vassilios Vathrakoyannis, a spokesman for the fire service, there are currently three active fire fronts in Crete, which are being fought by around 270 firefighters, supported by 10 helicopters and drones.
" Due to strong winds, the fire has progressed rapidly, making the situation extremely difficult," Androulakis said.
Efforts to bring the flames under control are continuing, but difficult weather conditions are hampering operations. Experts warn that human-caused climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of fires, as well as other natural disasters in the region.
Greece has experienced repeated waves of wildfires in recent summers, causing extensive environmental and economic damage, especially in tourist areas such as Crete, one of the country's most popular destinations. Local authorities and emergency services are on high alert, while evacuated residents and tourists await updates on the situation. The Greek government has called for vigilance and promised full support for the affected areas, as efforts to contain the fires continue in earnest.
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