Hundreds evacuated as Greece wildfire rages on Crete
Hot dry weather in Greece, which is not unusual for this time of year, has heightened the risk of a repeat of the summer wildfires that have hit the country in recent years.
Media reports said around 1,500 people had to be evacuated because of the blaze, which broke out on Wednesday evening.
'Evacuations took place in numerous hotels and tourists were safely transferred to a closed gymnasium in the municipality of Ierapetra,' vice-prefect Yannis Androulakis told TV channel Mega, referring to the holiday town in the southeast.
The authorities acted because water bomber planes could not reach the affected areas overnight, he added. 'At the moment, there are three active fronts,' Androulakis said. 'Because of the strong winds, the fire has progressed quite rapidly.'
Around 270 firefighters, 10 helicopters and drones have been deployed to tackle the blaze, said Vassilios Vathrakoyannis, a spokesman for the fire service.
They include reinforcements sent in from the capital, Athens. 'There are still a number of different fronts. The fire is burning scrubland and crops,' he said.
'The winds are very strong -- up to nine on the Beaufort scale.' - Uneven, arid terrain -
Crete, Greece's largest island, has an arid, uneven landscape criss-crossed by gullies, making it difficult for firefighters to tackle the blaze.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Tribune
2 days ago
- Daily Tribune
Hundreds evacuated as Greece wildfire rages on Crete
A wildfire fanned by galeforce winds on the southern Greek island of Crete has forced the evacuation of residents and tourists, officials said yesterday. Hot dry weather in Greece, which is not unusual for this time of year, has heightened the risk of a repeat of the summer wildfires that have hit the country in recent years. Media reports said around 1,500 people had to be evacuated because of the blaze, which broke out on Wednesday evening. 'Evacuations took place in numerous hotels and tourists were safely transferred to a closed gymnasium in the municipality of Ierapetra,' vice-prefect Yannis Androulakis told TV channel Mega, referring to the holiday town in the southeast. The authorities acted because water bomber planes could not reach the affected areas overnight, he added. 'At the moment, there are three active fronts,' Androulakis said. 'Because of the strong winds, the fire has progressed quite rapidly.' Around 270 firefighters, 10 helicopters and drones have been deployed to tackle the blaze, said Vassilios Vathrakoyannis, a spokesman for the fire service. They include reinforcements sent in from the capital, Athens. 'There are still a number of different fronts. The fire is burning scrubland and crops,' he said. 'The winds are very strong -- up to nine on the Beaufort scale.' - Uneven, arid terrain - Crete, Greece's largest island, has an arid, uneven landscape criss-crossed by gullies, making it difficult for firefighters to tackle the blaze.
Syyaha
6 days ago
- Syyaha
Jumeirah Olhahali Island Welcomes Shimmers'Chef Emanuele for an Exclusive Culinary Residency This July
Malé, Maldives, 30 June 2025: Jumeirah Olhahali Island is delighted to announce a culinary residency in collaboration with Chef Emanuele De Leo, Head Chef of the award-winning Shimmers at Jumeirah Mina Al Salam in Dubai. Taking place from 7 to 10 July 2025, this exclusive experience will bring the vibrant flavours of the Mediterranean to the Maldives through a specially curated tasting-style menu. Following a stint as Sous Chef at L'Olivo at Al Mahara, the two Michelin-starred restaurant at Jumeirah Burj Al Arab, Chef Emanuele took up his position as Head Chef at Shimmers in 2023. There, he leads the kitchen, where his menu pays homage to his Sicilian heritage, while embracing bold, contemporary interpretations of classic Mediterranean cuisine. Under his direction, Shimmers has earned recognition from Gault&Millau UAE in 2025, a testament of the restaurant's elevated dining experience and Chef Emanuele's distinctive culinary vision. With a strong focus on seasonality, he draws inspiration from the freshest market produce, transforming each ingredient into flavour-driven, elegantly presented creations. For his residency at Jumeirah Olhahali Island, Chef Emanuele has crafted a bespoke menu that fuses Greek influences with his Sicilian roots, showcasing refined coastal flavours and thoughtfully sourced seasonal ingredients. In true Shimmers fashion, the evening will be presented as a series of small, shareable plates, designed to bring guests together around the table. Highlights include a fresh cauliflower salad, zingy tuna tartare, and grilled octopus with Santorini fava. These are followed by indulgent mains such as slow-braised beef cheek paired with celery purée and red wine jus, alongside orzo with red prawns, lemon, and caviar. The experience concludes, with a duo of desserts: Greek yoghurt ice cream and orange crème brûlée, offering a refreshing and indulgent finale. The exclusive dinner experience with Chef Emanuele is priced at USD 195 plus taxes per person. For more information or to reserve, visit the Jumeirah Olhahali Island website here. Follow the journey on Jumeirah Olhahali Island's Instagram and Facebook @JumeirahOlhahaliIsland.
Gulf Insider
24-06-2025
- Gulf Insider
The MICHELIN Guide Officially Expands to Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's culinary scene has just levelled up. The MICHELIN Guide, arguably the world's most recognised name in restaurant ratings, has officially expanded into the Kingdom with its first-ever Saudi edition covering Riyadh and Jeddah. The guide also begins dipping a toe into other destinations like AlUla and Khobar, promising more to come as Saudi Arabia's gastronomic story unfolds. For those unfamiliar, MICHELIN's reputation rests on its famously anonymous inspectors, who travel the world in search of culinary brilliance. In Saudi Arabia, they've been quietly tasting their way across the Kingdom for some time, and now their findings are set to take centre stage. 'Over the past few years, our MICHELIN inspectors have been keeping a watchful eye on the Kingdom's culinary progression,' says Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guide. 'They continue to relish the wonderful spectrum that this fast-developing country has to offer.' The guide's entry into Saudi Arabia doesn't just celebrate fine food, it nods to the broader evolution of a nation balancing deep-rooted tradition with contemporary flair. From the deserts of Najd to the Red Sea coast, the Kingdom offers a backdrop as rich as its recipes. UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Diriyah sit side by side with futuristic megaprojects, making the culinary offerings just one piece of an increasingly fascinating puzzle. Hospitality is at the heart of Saudi culture. Whether you're being handed a dish of fragrant kabsa in a traditional home or biting into a modern chef's reimagining of a centuries-old recipe, there's a common thread: generosity, pride, and flavour. And let's talk diversity. Beyond local dishes like masabeeb (honey-drenched pancakes) and sambosas with a Saudi twist, the Kingdom's dining scene features Japanese omakase counters, upscale Greek bistros, American comfort food, and more. Riyadh's VIA district alone is a who's who of global restaurant brands. Simply put, Saudi Arabia's restaurant culture is no longer just booming; it's global, and now, MICHELIN-approved. Mayada Badr, CEO of the Saudi Culinary Arts Commission, says this moment has been a long time coming: 'Our collaboration with the MICHELIN Guide marks an important milestone in celebrating the unique and diverse culinary scene of Saudi Arabia. It shines a light on the creativity and excellence of our chefs and restaurants and invites the world to discover the distinct flavours and experiences the Kingdom has to offer.' It's more than just recognition. MICHELIN's arrival will put local chefs on an international platform, encourage culinary innovation, and attract food travellers to experience Saudi's flavours first-hand. Behind the stars and hype is a consistent methodology. MICHELIN inspectors work independently and anonymously, rating restaurants on five core criteria: Quality of the ingredients Mastery of cooking techniques Harmony of flavours Personality of the chef through the cuisine Consistency over time and across the menu The famous stars are awarded as follows: One Star for high-quality cooking, worth a stop for high-quality cooking, worth a stop Two Stars for excellent cooking, worth a detour for excellent cooking, worth a detour Three Stars for exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey There's also the Bib Gourmand category, celebrating places that serve good food at moderate prices—because great doesn't always have to mean pricey. Rather than a single grand unveiling, MICHELIN will roll out its first Saudi restaurant selection across three digital releases. On the 15th of each month from October to December 2025, new names will be revealed on the official platform. So, whether you're a seasoned foodie or just curious where to eat on your next trip to Riyadh or Jeddah, the Kingdom's MICHELIN moment is now, and the guide is just getting started.
