A major wildfire started on the Greek island of Crete on Wednesday and has spread rapidly, forcing 3,000 residents to be evacuated. The UK government has issued advice for travellers
Thousands of people have been evacuated following terrifying Greek wildfires – as Brits travelling to the popular holiday destination are being urged to have “emergency alerts” on their phones.
The advice comes after a major wildfire started on the Greek island of Crete on Wednesday and has spread rapidly, forcing 3,000 residents to be evacuated.
Authorities said evacuations were ordered at three sites outside the port of Ierapetra on the island’s south coast. Homes were reported damaged as flames swept through hillside forests, fanned by strong winds.
More than 150 firefighters were operating in the area, while water-dropping planes and helicopters remained grounded overnight. Members of specialised units – often only working with hand tools – were creating hillside fire breaks to try and slow the advance of the blaze.
READ MORE: Crete wildfire LIVE: Greece burns as thousands evacuated from holiday hotspot
“It’s a very difficult situation. The fire is very hard to contain. Right now, they cannot contain it,” Nektarios Papadakis, a civil protection official at the regional authority said.
“The tourists who were moved out are all okay. They have been taken to an indoor basketball arena and hotels in other regions of the island,” he said.
The Fire Service and a civil protection agency issued localised mobile phone alerts for the evacuations and appealed to residents not to return to try and save their property.
The fires lit up the night sky, cresting ridgelines and edging toward residential areas. Several residents were treated for breathing difficulties, officials said, but there were no immediate reports of serious injuries.
The blaze sent clouds of ash into the night sky, illuminated by the headlights of emergency vehicles and water trucks that lined the coastal road near the resorts of Ferma and Achlia on the southeast of Crete.
Meanwhile, the UK government has urged Brits travelling to Greece to ensure “your mobile phone is registered to receive emergency alerts to be warned of wildfires near your location.”
UK government advice
The UK foreign travel advice states: “There is a high risk of wildfires during the summer season from April to October. Ensure that your mobile phone is registered to receive emergency alerts to be warned of wildfires near your location.
Wildfires are highly dangerous and unpredictable. The situation can change quickly.
Be cautious if you are in or near an area affected by wildfires:
- follow @112Greece for official updates
- follow the guidance of the emergency services
- call the Greek emergency services on 112 if you are in immediate danger
- contact your airline or travel operator who can assist you with return travel to the UK