Greece is grappling with a devastating wildfire outbreak, as flames engulf vast areas of Crete and threaten suburbs near Athens, prompting urgent evacuations and a nationwide emergency response.
Crete Under Siege
On the island of Crete, firefighters are battling infernos that have already consumed swathes of forest and farmland. Local authorities have ordered evacuations in several villages as the flames advance unpredictably, fueled by strong winds and dry conditions.
Athens on Alert
Meanwhile, just kilometres from the Greek capital, new fire fronts have emerged, sending plumes of smoke over Athens and creating hazardous air quality conditions. Emergency services have deployed additional resources to protect residential areas on the city's outskirts.
Emergency Response
The Greek government has declared a state of emergency in affected regions, with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis cutting short his holiday to oversee crisis coordination. International assistance, including water-dropping aircraft from EU partners, has been mobilised to support overwhelmed local fire crews.
Tourist Impact
The wildfires are disrupting Greece's vital tourism sector during peak season, with some hotels near fire zones being evacuated. Authorities are advising travellers to monitor official updates and avoid affected areas.
Meteorologists warn the dangerous fire conditions are likely to persist, with no significant rainfall forecast and temperatures expected to remain above 35°C throughout the week.
