Tourist resorts evacuated as strong winds fan wildfire spreading across Greek island
The blaze, which started Wednesday afternoon near Lerapetra, is being fuelled by gale-force winds, making containment extremely difficult for emergency services.
The fast-moving fire has already destroyed homes and rental properties in settlements like Agia Fotia, leading to power cuts and road closures.
Firefighting efforts involving 155 firefighters, numerous engines, and air support are ongoing, with reinforcements arriving from the mainland to battle the flames.
Several people have been treated for smoke inhalation, and hospitals across Crete are on alert as the region, like other parts of Europe, experiences a heatwave.
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Daily Mail
13 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
British tourists put on alert as new Greece wildfires spread amid 44C heatwave - as blaze tears through capital Athens
British tourists have been put on alert as new Greece wildfires spread amid a 44C heatwave - as a blaze tears through the capital of Athens. The southern European country was first hit with the scorching temperatures on Monday and they have not relented throughout this week. After the mercury hit a blistering 44C high in Athens on Tuesday, a wildfire has now burned through a northern suburb of the capital, on Saturday. Shocking pictures show homes ablaze while residents of the town of Kryoneri, 12.5miles northeast of Athens, received three SMS warnings to evacuate. Some 145 firefighters, 44 fire engines, ten firefighting planes and seven helicopters remain on site, with Greece asking for six more such planes from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. At least five residents - most of them elderly, with respiratory problems - are being treated by ambulance staff. But Fire Service spokesperson Vassilis Vathrakoyannis said 'the real difficulties are ahead of us', as the hot, dry, windy conditions 'are expected to prevail over the coming days'. And indeed, some 52 wildfires have already broken out in just the last 24 hours - with British tourists under alert by the Foreign Office to be aware of their dangers. After the mercury hit a blistering 44C high in Athens on Tuesday, a wildfire has now burned through a northern suburb of the capital (pictured), on Saturday The Foreign Office updated its advice for British travellers to Greece at the start of this month, warning of the risk of wildfires. It notes: 'Greece can experience extreme natural phenomena such as earthquakes, wildfires, extreme heat and flash floods... 'There is a high risk of wildfires during the summer season from April to October. Advising how to enable emergency alerts from the Greek government for near where you are, it adds: 'Wildfires are highly dangerous and unpredictable. 'The situation can change quickly.' It also recommends tourists consider packing a 'grab bag' of essentials, including passports, ID, phones, chargers, money, bank cards, insurance and other important documents and essential medicine and prescription details. Of the fire in Athens, Mr Vathrakoyannis said: 'There have been reports of damages. We will take stock when the fires have been put out.' The exact origin of the fire is unknown - but temperatures reaching or exceeding 38C, dry conditions and high winds have been said to be fanning the flames. Greece has asked for for six more firefighting planes from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism Under such conditions, wildfires 'expand very quickly and become dangerous', he warned. Three other major fires have also broken out in other parts of the country, on the islands of Crete and nearby Kythera to the south and on Evia, north of Athens. At least 335 firefighters, 19 planes and 13 helicopters are fighting the blazes - but they can only operate in daylight. The Greek government's Emergency Communications Service has issued several place-specific warnings, ordering those in the area to evacuate. A blaze has broken out at the 400-bed Agios Andreas Hospital in the city of Patras, near Athens, on Saturday. The department has warned, as of Saturday evening: 'Smoke in the surrounding area. Stay indoors, close doors and windows. Follow the instructions of the authorities.' On Crete, anyone in the areas of Anidri, Achladiakes, Strati, Asfendiles, Platanes and Azogires has been ordered to evacuate to the town of Paleochora, as of Saturday evening. Anyone in the island's village of Temenia has been told to move to nearby town Kandalos. Those in the Pei and Dokos areas of Evia have been told to evacuate to the nearby city of Chalkida. Meanwhile, those in the island's Pissonas area are ordered to move to the village of Katheni. In the southwestern region of Messinia, those in the Drosopigi and Malthi areas have been told to evacuate to the village of Mila. People in Chrisotopos and Revmatia, in the same part of the country, must move to the village of Zermpisia. Again in Messinia, those in the Aetos area should go to the town of Kopanaki. These are just the warnings issued over the last couple of hours, with many sent out to tourists and residents alike over the course of Saturday. Wildfires, many of them destructive, have become a common occurrence in Greece in recent years. The continent's southernmost nation has always had hot and dry summers but is suffering increasingly devastating wildfires and scorching temperatures. Several blazes have broken out in the country in the past month as the whole of the Europe is hit with a red-hot heatwave this summer. The EU's fire monitoring system warns that the risk of yet more devastating blazes remains high as forecasters predict drier-than-average conditions for much of the continent through August. The high temperatures in Greece this week forced the iconic Acropolis, the country's most visited ancient site, to close for five hours from midday on Tuesday and Wednesday. Meanwhile, strict new rules were implemented to protect workers from the heat. Couriers, food delivery riders and builders in the wider area of Athens and other regions were among those ordered to pause work from midday until 5pm. Workers with underlying health issues were advised to work remotely to avoid heat stress. National weather service EMY has said the heatwave that began on Monday is not expected to ease before Sunday. Temperatures were expected to increase throughout the week, after the scorching highs of 44C recorded in Athens on Tuesday. Similarly, across the Balkans, firefighters struggled to contain multiple blazes this week that threaten homes, nature reserves and tourist regions. Seven major fires were reported in North Macedonia, where temperatures of up to 42C were recorded on Tuesday. Five fires were out of control in Albania where temperatures ranged from 37C to 41C on Monday. In Croatia, a fire near the tourist town of Sibenik was being fought by dozens of civil emergency experts and six specialist planes. Some of the fires in North Macedonia had been burning for several days, notably one in the Ezerani natural park close to lake Prespa. The country's mayors have complained they do not have enough resources to battle the fires. According to the mayors' association, the 400 firefighters in North Macedonia are half the number the law lays down as the minimum. Their vehicles are on average 27 years old. Serbia was on a heat alert with highs around 38C on Monday but temperatures were expected to start falling. The country is already suffering from one of its worst droughts in living memory. Northern Bosnia was also braced for temperatures of up to 40C. Bulgarian authorities on Tuesday urged businesses to give away water and cut physical labour during high-risk hours. Meanwhile, Spain struggled to quell a series of wildfires that have already burned through more than 70,000 hectares of land in recent weeks. Firefighters managed to extinguish or control several blazes last weekend weekend but arid conditions sparked two fresh fires near the tourist hotspot of Malaga. One punishing fire was recorded threatening the main entrance of the Andalucia Technology Park (PTA) in Campanillas, near Malaga city. Another was spotted in Casares, near the Ignacio Molina wind farm. In both cases, firefighters and water-dropping helicopters were dispatched to calm the flames. The Italian island of Sicily has also battled several wildfires, with soaring temperatures leading authorities to issue red alert warnings for four provinces this week. Sicily's Forestry Corps and Civil Protection workers were engaged to extinguish the fires, with six water-dropping aircraft drafted in to control the flames. Three of the blazes were located in the northwest in the countryside between the cities of Palermo and Trapani. Two more were reported along the south coast and another in the suburbs of the eastern city of Catania. Horrifying images snapped on Monday evening by residents in Trapani showed thick orange flames scything through bone-dry hills on the outskirts of the city. Last weekend, meteorologists placed the eastern provinces of Catania, Caltanissetta, Enna and Messina under red alert warnings, with emergency services preparing for the prospect of yet more infernos. Wildfires have burned more than 227,000 hectares of land in Europe since the beginning of the year, according to the EU's European Forest Fire Information System - far above the average figure for the first six months of the year. It is not yet clear if 2025 will be a record year, as that will depend on how the fire season evolves in the coming months. But the number of fires in Europe has also surged this year so far, with 1,118 blazes detected as of July 8, versus 716 in the same period last year, EFFIS said. Countries are preparing for worse blazes. Warmer-than-average temperatures are forecast across Europe in August, EFFIS said, meaning fire danger will remain high across much of southern and eastern Europe. While Southern Europe is expected to see normal rainfall patterns, the rest of the continent is expected to be drier than normal in August, EFFIS said - potentially exacerbating fire risk in other regions. Across the globe, 2024 was the warmest year on record, with temperatures exceeding 1.5C above the pre-industrial era for the first time. Research published earlier this month showed the soil surface temperature around Athens rose in some places by as much as 10C since July 2024 after fires destroyed vegetation. Meanwhile, northern parts of the continent battled a different kind of extreme weather this week as deadly storms, tornadoes and giant hail hit France and Germany. Parts of the two nations have been lashed by violent storms that ripped roofs from homes and toppled trees. A tornado tore through an airport in central France, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake, as hailstones the size of golf balls hammered southern Germany. These extreme weather events come after 2024 was officially declared the hottest year ever recorded, with temperatures exceeding 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. The Foreign Office notes starting a wildfire is a criminal offence, even if unintentional. It therefore advises cigarettes are properly extinguished, barbecues are not be lit and no litter is left, especially glass, which is known to start fires. Fires - and being in immediate danger from them - should be reported to the emergency services by calling 112. Their advice should be followed in case of a fire. Tourists can follow @112Greece for official updates and contact their airline or travel operator for assistance with return travel back to the UK in the event of a fire. Further information is available on Greece's Civil Protection website and on the government's advice page for preparing for and responding to extreme weather and natural hazards.
The Sun
13 minutes ago
- The Sun
I visited Greece's biggest island with olive oil shots, TUI hotels and restaurants with free desserts
I KNOCK back my glass, swirling the golden liquid around in my mouth before swallowing. It tastes very smooth at first, then comes a subtle bitterness that catches the back of the throat as it slides down — this is a sign of a high quality extra virgin olive oil, I'm told. 7 I'm not surprised it's so good. After all, I am standing in the birthplace of Greek olive oil: Crete. And this balmy island produces some of the finest in the world. I'd booked my excursion through National Geographic, which offers small guided tours to the family-run Agno. The business owns thousands of trees spread across 40 different sites, where olives are hand-picked and processed into oil in less than six hours, ensuring the freshest, highest-quality product possible. Unsurprisingly, their oil has been awarded first prize by the International Extra Virgin Olive Oil organisation — which is a bit like winning the Champions League, but for salad dressing. Nearly 900,000 Brits holidayed in Crete last year, sampling its mix of Mediterranean cuisine, history and culture — and much of it is fantastic value. During my visit, I enjoyed a delicious three-course meal with wine for just £19 per head and stayed in a five-star hotel which, including flights, set me back a breezy £855 for a week all-inclusive. I was staying at the TUI Blue Sensatori Atlantica Caldera Palace Hotel which caters for both lazy sun-worshippers and holidaymakers who demand an endless choice of stimulating activities. The sprawling property has wine tasting and cooking demonstrations along with fitness and wellness classes, enabling guests to burn off calories just as easily as piling them on. I embraced it all from day one, kicking off my holiday with a gong bathing session. I was instructed to wear swim shorts and head to the pool area, where floating aqua boards were awaiting. Secret hack for free dessert Laying down on the board, I shut my eyes while the instructor at the edge of the pool softly banged the gong, lulling me into a 45-minute slumber. Martin Lewis warns about strict passport rule that could see you board your flight - only to get sent home on arrival Yes, it may sound silly, but the experience was pure bliss. I've never felt such profound relaxation. Juicy lamb chops The following day, still in a sleepy state, I was reluctantly dragged (or not) to a wine tasting session, another activity on the Tui Blue programme. I learned how wine making in Crete dates back thousands of years, with producers now selling their product around the world. My favourite was Viavano Gavalas — a white wine using a grape that can only be found in Crete. It's aged in oak barrels and has a smooth, creamy flavour which goes well with meat and fish. You can pick a bottle up online for as little as £10. I also had the privilege of attending a cooking class while I was here, accompanied by one of the hotel's chefs who hails from Crete. We learned how to create some classic Greek dishes including tzatziki, a yoghurt mezze dish that pairs well with practically everything and is a staple of the country's cuisine. The dish is made by mixing shredded cucumber, crushed garlic, fresh herbs and salt in yogurt before adding red wine vinegar and olive oil. If you're not into cooking your own food, the hotel's all-inclusive package includes access to two buffet restaurants as well as its Oregano Greek Tavern and a Tex Mex joint. After taking advantage of all the excellent dishes, I was feeling even more grateful for my swim-up suite, which enabled me to jump into the hotel's meandering pool straight from my balcony. I could have spent an entire week without leaving the Atlantica Caldera Palace Hotel, but it was worth tearing myself away for a brief visit to Hersonissos, on the east side of the island and about 20 minutes' drive from the city of Heraklion. 7 7 7 The pretty Old Town is an ideal place to spend a day, strolling in the historic streets flanked by old stone buildings and brimming with little restaurants serving properly authentic cuisine. I somehow found room in my second stomach for a meal at Sofas restaurant, where tables are spread across the bustling village square. On top of flavour-packed mezze dishes like vine leaves and fried squid, I tucked into juicy lamb chops and chicken kebabs barbecued to perfection. When the waiters asked about a third course, we waved our napkins like white flags, admitting surrender. But little did we know that in doing so, we had unlocked a secret Cretan dining hack: Free dessert. Without saying a word, the staff delivered a selection of puddings including a lemon tart topped with a blow-torched meringue as well as a chocolate, caramel and peanut pastry. Apparently it's a common tradition across the island — a bit like the limoncello shots dished out for free in Italy. Best of all, this hearty meal set us back only £38pp. What a bargain. After a week in Crete, my stomach really was ready to surrender. But this time, my napkin remained firmly in my lap. 7
The Sun
13 minutes ago
- The Sun
Huge wildfires spreads across Athens and two popular Greek islands as thousands are evacuated
MASSIVE wildfires have erupted in Greece after a week-long heatwave peaked with temperatures surpassing 45 degrees. Thousands of people have reportedly been evacuated as fires swept villages near Athens and other Greek islands. 9 9 A wildfire burned through a northern suburb of the Greek capital on Saturday, and some residents were ordered to evacuate, the country's Fire Service reported. Residents of the town of Kryoneri, some 12 miles northeast of Athens, received three SMS messages to evacuate to safe areas. While residents of the nearby village of Krioneri were instructed by authorities to evacuate. Explosions could be heard as huge clouds of smoke covered Drosopigi village, 15 miles north of Athens, where factories with flammable material are located. Helicopters dropped water, and 65 firefighters battled the flames, assisted by 26 vehicles and two aircraft. Fire service is also dealing with three other major fires in the southwest of Greece's two largest islands, Crete in the south and Evia. At least 335 firefighters, 19 planes and 13 helicopters are involved, but can only operate in daylight, authorities revealed. In total, 52 wildfires broke out across the country over the past 24 hours, a spokesman for the fire department said. Strong winds are causing the fire to spread rapidly and prompting evacuations of several settlements. On the island of Evia, 115 firefighters and 24 vehicles were deployed to put out fires, assisted by six aircraft and seven helicopters, but strong winds were hampering their efforts. Moment Brit expats tour smouldering shell of Cyprus home they fled as deadly wildfires hit Residents of the island's Triada area were told to be ready in case they needed to leave. The fire on Evia is the latest in a series of bushfires stoked by strong winds and dry conditions this month. On the island of Kythera, authorities evacuated the villages of Aroniadika, Pitsinades and Aryoi. In the area of Messinia, west of Athens, residents of the Kryoneri and Sellas villages were also told to leave. These sites were on a list of Greek regions on high alert for wildfires due to record-breaking temperatures and strong winds due on Saturday. Temperatures in Greece were forecast to reach up to 44 degrees Celsius on Saturday, the Greek weather service said. Wildfires, many of them destructive, have become a common occurrence in Greece in recent years. Several have broken out in the past month. Greece and other Mediterranean countries are in an area dubbed "a wildfire hotspot" by scientists, with blazes common during hot and dry summers. 9 9 9 9 These have become more destructive in recent years. Earlier this month, some 1,500 people were evacuated after raging wildfires spread across Crete. The night sky turned orange as the burning blazes left a trail of destruction on the popular island. Evacuations were ordered at three sites outside the port of Ierapetra on the island's south coast, authorities said. Homes were reportedly damaged as flames swept through hillside forests, fanned by strong winds. Meanwhile, devastating wildfires have again erupted in Turkey, with hundreds of people evacuated as massive blazes continue to rip through the country. Presidetn Recep Tayyip Erdoğan warned of a "truly great disaster" after at least 13 people died in the fatal fires. New wildfires broke out on Turkey's Mediterranean coast on Friday, as the government declared two western provinces in the country to be "disaster zones". East of Antalya, fires broke out in Adana and Mersin on Friday. Elsewhere in the country, firefighters continued battling blazes in Eskisehir and nearby Karabuk that have been raging for several days. Meanwhile, Cyprus has been hit with its worst wildfires "for 50 years" amid growing fears a 44°C heatwave will fuel the blaze even further. The country has plunged into chaos after two people were burnt alive and more than 70 houses were destroyed. 9 9
