Hundreds of tourists evacuated as Greece wildfire rages on Island of Crete

More than 1,500 people, including hundreds of tourists, were evacuated from the Greek island of Crete on Thursday after a fast-moving wildfire broke out near the port town of Ierapetra. The fire, which began in the early hours, has quickly spread across the island’s southern hillside forests, forcing emergency services to move people out of danger zones.

Authorities confirmed that residents and visitors were evacuated from three locations near Ierapetra, the Times reported. The evacuation included guests from several hotels and villas, many of whom were transported to safer areas, including an indoor basketball arena and nearby hotels.

Difficult conditions on the ground

According to a report by The Times, “It’s a very difficult situation. The fire is very hard to contain. Right now, they cannot contain it,” said Nektarios Papadakis, a regional civil protection official. He confirmed that no tourists had been harmed and all evacuees were accounted for.

Firefighters, assisted by volunteers, have been battling the blaze under challenging conditions. Winds have intensified the spread of the fire, and water-dropping aircraft and helicopters were grounded overnight. Firebreaks were being created in an effort to control the flames.

Quick response from locals

Guesthouse owners in Agia Fotia, one of the areas affected, moved quickly to ensure the safety of tourists. Avgi Makridoukaki, who runs a small property in the area, said she helped a French couple relocate after receiving alerts from emergency officials.

Maria Stamati, owner of the Pignolia Suites, evacuated all 15 guests within 30 minutes of the fire’s approach. “They had no clue what was happening but I alerted them to get out and stay out until this freak fire dies down,” she said. Her guests included Germans, French nationals, and local Greek tourists.

Communication lines remain down in the affected areas. Many hotels, resorts, and villas are unable to make or receive calls, making it difficult for travellers to connect with authorities or contact families abroad.

Emergency alerts were issued via mobile phones to residents and tourists, with a warning not to return to homes or properties. Officials said some people have been treated for breathing issues, but there are no reports of serious injuries so far.

Ongoing risk and fire threat

The fire service has flagged Crete and parts of southern Greece as high-risk areas for wildfires, with hot and windy conditions expected to continue. Crete, one of Greece’s top tourist destinations, typically welcomes thousands of visitors in the summer months.