Greek firefighters battle wildfire on island of Crete
ATHENS (Reuters) -Greek firefighters on Wednesday battled a blaze that raged on the popular vacation destination of Crete, burning forest land, threatening homes and prompting the evacuation of residents and tourists from at least four settlements on the island.
At least 155 firefighters, assisted by 38 engines and water trucks, battled the flames in the municipality of Ierapetra at the southeastern coast of the country's largest island, the Greek fire brigade service said.
The blaze, which broke out in the afternoon, was charged by gale force winds that hindered firefighting efforts and rekindled its fronts. More reinforcements were on their way by boat and aircraft from Athens, the fire brigade said.
"It is a very difficult fire and it is still in progress," a fire brigade official told Reuters on condition of anonymity, attributing the difficulty of the operation to the strong winds and the type of terrain.
Local TV stations reported that some homes had been damaged. So far, there were no reports of injuries. Authorities had earlier ordered the evacuation of Achlia and three more settlements in the wider area. About 3,000 people, who had earlier evacuated villages, were taken to temporary shelters, local officials said.
Greece, situated at Europe's southernmost tip, is often hit by wildfires during its hot and dry summers but authorities have blamed a fast-changing climate for fuelling more destructive blazes in recent years.
On Wednesday evening, Greek firefighters were also trying to tame a wildfire on the island of Kythira and another blaze in the northern region of Chalkidiki which raged uncontrolled.
(Reporting by Renee Maltezou; Editing by Jamie Freed)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Greece fights Crete wildfire amid Europe heatwave, tourists evacuated
ATHENS: Firefighters battled for a third day on Friday to put out a wildfire on the Greek island of Crete that has razed forests and olive groves and forced thousands of residents and tourists to leave the area. Around 130 firefighters, 48 vehicles and six helicopters were deployed in the effort, working with gale-force wind gusts and dry conditions that could rekindle the fire in areas already contained. Wind gusts could fan embers from smouldering trunks of olive and pine trees on the ground, a fire brigade official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity. The fire in Crete comes as much of Europe swelters in an early summer heatwave, which officials have linked to at least eight deaths on the continent. The fire, which broke out in a village about 16 km (10 miles) east of Ierapetra on Wednesday, has consumed swathes of agricultural land in the southeastern corner of the island, leaving dead animals, damaged houses and scorched farmhouses. Some 1,000 residents evacuated on Wednesday found temporary shelter at an indoor stadium and in nearby hotels and about 5,000 holidaymakers left the area. Many of the evacuees were expected to make their way back home later on Friday as the situation improved, George Tsapakos, a deputy civil protection governor for Crete, told Reuters. Tourism is a key earner in Crete, the largest island in Greece, and local hoteliers were concerned about the impact on future bookings as the fire hit at the start of the peak summer holiday season. Separately, some 148 firefighters battled a fire that broke out in the Athens suburb of Pikermi on Thursday, threatening many homes, causing power cuts and prompting authorities to move more than 300 people to safety. The fire was contained but not extinguished, the fire brigade official said. Temperatures in Greece were forecast to reach up to 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 Fahrenheit) on Friday, the Greek weather service said. In Italy, the health ministry put 20 of the 27 cities it monitors for heatwaves on red alert on Friday. RAI public broadcaster said temperatures would go as high as 38 C in Florence and 37 C in Rome, Bologna and Perugia. With the heat comes a higher risk of wildfires. Greece and other Mediterranean countries are in an area dubbed 'a wildfire hotspot' by scientists - with blazes common during hot and dry summers. These have become more destructive in recent years due to a fast-changing climate. - Reuters
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Air France-KLM to buy major stake in SAS
PARIS: Air France-KLM plans to increase its stake in Scandinavian airline SAS to 60.5%, the latest step towards consolidating Europe's fragmented airline sector as carriers seek to strengthen their position against rivals. The French airline group said yesterday it intended to increase its stake from 19.9% currently by acquiring the stakes held by top shareholder Castlelake and Lind Invest. The purchase, subject to regulatory clearances, is expected to close in the second half of 2026, Air France-KLM said. The value of the investment would be determined at closing, based on SAS's latest financial performance, including core earnings and net debt, added the company. The Scandinavian airline welcomed the announcement, calling it a 'defining moment' that marked Air France-KLM's commitment to strengthen SAS. 'It brings not just stability but will also allow for deeper industrial integration and the full backing of one of the world's leading airline groups,' SAS CEO Anko van der Werff said. 'Together, we will be better positioned to deliver greater value to our customers, our colleagues, and the wider region.' SAS said it would continue to invest in its fleet and network. In 2023, Air France-KLM said it would invest about US$144.5 million (RM610 million) for its initial SAS stake, boosting its presence in Sweden, Denmark and Norway with the option to become a controlling shareholder after a minimum of two years, subject to conditions. SAS exited from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in August last year. Air France-KLM CEO Ben Smith told Reuters in March that the company was looking to raise its stake in SAS, as the carrier was meeting the necessary milestones, including integration into the SkyTeam airline alliance, of which Air France-KLM is also a member. The two carriers have already had a commercial cooperation since summer 2024. Control of SAS would allow Air France-KLM to expand in the Scandinavian market and create additional value for shareholders, Air France-KLM said in a statement. 'Following their successful restructuring, SAS has delivered impressive performance, and we are confident that the airline's potential will continue to grow through deeper integration within the Air France-KLM Group,' said Smith. The deal comes as executives seek more consolidation in Europe's fragmented airline industry, which they say is needed to compete with US and Middle Eastern rivals. Earlier this year, Germany's Lufthansa bought a 41% stake in Italy's ITA Airways and a stake in Air Baltic. The Portuguese government is looking to privatise its national carrier TAP Lufthansa and Air France are also in talks about buying a stake in Spanish airline Air Europa. – Reuters
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Greece battles wildfire on Crete for a third day as temperatures rise
A man tries to extinguish a wildfire at the village of Agia Fotini near Ierapetra, on the island of Crete, Greece, July 3, 2025. REUTERS/Alexandros Avramidis ATHENS (Reuters) -Firefighters battled for a third day on Friday to put out a wildfire on the Greek island of Crete that has razed forests and olive groves and forced thousands of residents and tourists to leave the area. Around 130 firefighters, 48 vehicles and six helicopters were deployed in the effort, working with gale-force wind gusts and dry conditions that could rekindle the fire in areas already contained. Wind gusts could fan embers from smouldering trunks of olive and pine trees on the ground, a fire brigade official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity. The fire in Crete comes as much of Europe swelters in an early summer heatwave, which officials have linked to at least eight deaths on the continent. The fire, which broke out in a village about 16 km (10 miles) east of Ierapetra on Wednesday, has consumed swathes of agricultural land in the southeastern corner of the island, leaving dead animals, damaged houses and scorched farmhouses. Some 1,000 residents evacuated on Wednesday found temporary shelter at an indoor stadium and in nearby hotels and about 5,000 holidaymakers left the area. Many of the evacuees were expected to make their way back home later on Friday as the situation improved, George Tsapakos, a deputy civil protection governor for Crete, told Reuters. Tourism is a key earner in Crete, the largest island in Greece, and local hoteliers were concerned about the impact on future bookings as the fire hit at the start of the peak summer holiday season. Separately, some 148 firefighters battled a fire that broke out in the Athens suburb of Pikermi on Thursday, threatening many homes, causing power cuts and prompting authorities to move more than 300 people to safety. The firewas contained but not extinguished, the fire brigade official said. Temperatures in Greece were forecast to reach up to 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 Fahrenheit) on Friday, the Greek weather service said. In Italy, the health ministry put 20 of the 27 cities it monitors for heatwaves on red alert on Friday. RAI public broadcaster said temperatures would go as high as 38 C in Florence and 37 C in Rome, Bologna and Perugia. With the heat comes a higher risk of wildfires. Greece and other Mediterranean countries are in an area dubbed "a wildfire hotspot" by scientists - with blazes common during hot and dry summers. These have become more destructive in recent years due to a fast-changing climate. (Reporting by Angeliki KoutantouEditing by Frances Kerry)
