US EditionThousands evacuate as wildfire burns in Crete
- A large wildfire broke out on July 3, 2025, in Ierapetra, on the Greek island of Crete, forcing hundreds to evacuate from the south coast.
- The fire started in rugged, forested hills and was driven by powerful winds near hurricane strength, which greatly hindered efforts to control it.
- Throughout the night, firefighters—with assistance from helicopter crews and additional forces arriving from Athens—fought the wildfire as officials evacuated inhabitants and visitors from multiple communities, including Achlia and Ferma.
- About 1,500 evacuees were relocated to shelters in Ierapetra, four elderly people were hospitalized for smoke inhalation, and homes in Agia Fotia were destroyed amid widespread smoke and power outages.
- The wildfire underscored increasing wildfire risks during Europe's historic early summer heatwave, with officials warning of ongoing threats to homes, infrastructure, and health in Crete.
198 Articles
198 Articles
Thousands Flee Hotels, Homes as Wildfire Burns Out of Control in Crete
Firefighters were struggling Thursday to bring a major wildfire on Greece’s southern island of Crete under control, hampered by gale force winds whipping up the flames. Thousands of people were evacuated from hotels and homes overnight after the fire started Wednesday afternoon in the Ierapetra area on the island’s southern coast, officials said. The head of the hoteliers’ association of Ierapetra and southeastern Crete, Giorgos Tzarakis, told l…
Crete declares state of emergency for wildfire zones as holidaymakers flee
A STATE of emergency has been declared in Crete after the popular Greek island was ravaged by dangerous wildfires. Over 5,000 terrified holidaymakers have been fleeing the tourist hotspot across the past 24 hours as a huge inferno continues to rip through dozens of regions. ReutersFirefighters attempt to deal with rising flames as a wildfire burns near Ierapetra in Crete[/caption] ReutersThousands have been forced to evacuate due to the dangerou…
The disaster led to the sheltering of 3,000 tourists and 2,000 inhabitants, according to a local hotel manager, another fire was declared on Thursday near Athens.
The Herald Scotland
Jet2 and Ryanair among airlines to issue travel advice amid Crete wildfires
British Airways and Ryanair are among the airlines to have issued travel advice for Brits travelling to Crete amid the ongoing wildfires - what they said.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 44% of the sources are Center
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
