Hundreds of locals and tourists on the Greek island of Crete have been evacuated due to devastating wildfires. These have intensified due to strong winds. Fires are also taking place on the island of Kythera and in the north of the Halkidiki region, where firefighting crews are battling to extinguish the flames, reports IPN.
According to Deutsche Welle, several people required medical care due to difficulties in breathing, but no serious injuries were reported. Authorities have ordered the evacuation of the tourist resort of Achlia, along with three other villages in the area of the island of Crete.
The Fire Department and the civil protection agency have issued alerts on mobile phones, informing the population about the evacuation and asking locals not to return to their homes. According to the authorities, at least 1,500 people have been evacuated and relocated to temporary shelters.
A fire has broken out in the Vourvourou region of Halkidiki, affecting forests near the town of Livari, close to residential areas. Although the fire front is relatively small, about 800 meters, a nearby camping site has been preventively evacuated, according to information from the international press.
Greece, located in the southern part of the European continent, is often struck by vegetation fires during the hot and dry summers.
