Greek firefighters were battling a raging wildfire on the popular holiday island of Crete on Wednesday. The blaze has scorched forested land, threatened homes, and prompted the evacuation of residents and tourists from at least four settlements on the island.
At least 155 firefighters, supported by 38 engines and water trucks, were working to contain the flames in the municipality of Ierapetra on the southeastern coast of Greece’s largest island, the Greek fire service reported, as per Reuters.
The fire, which erupted in the afternoon, was exacerbated by strong winds that hampered firefighting efforts and reignited new fronts. More reinforcements were en route by ship and plane from Athens, the fire brigade stated.
“It’s a very difficult fire and it’s still ongoing,” a fire official told Reuters anonymously, attributing the operational difficulty to the strong winds and the challenging terrain.
Greece, located at Europe’s southernmost tip, is frequently hit by wildfires during its hot, dry summers. However, authorities have increasingly blamed a rapidly changing climate for fueling more destructive fires in recent years.
