Greece, large fire in Crete: 1.500 people evacuated, firefighters in difficulty due to strong winds. The flames are raging in the municipality of Ierapetra, in the south-east of the island, and the blaze is being fueled by strong winds.
It is the second day of fires on the island of Crete, in Greece, where the flames are devastating the municipality of Ierapetra in the south-east of the island, in the province of Lasithi. According to firefighters, the large fire, which moves depending on the direction of the strong winds blowing in the area, has "split" into three fronts, concentrated around Ferma, Achlia and Schinokapsala.
So far, around 1.500 people have been evacuated from villages and tourist areas, as well as from Agia Fotia, Galini and the settlement of Koutsounari, and have been relocated following the instructions of the authorities. Residents and visitors have been accommodated in hotels in other areas, while others have spent the night in the indoor gymnasium in Ierapetra, which was opened to provide safe shelter.
Emergency medical services are on high alert. Eight ambulances are in operation, which have so far transported three citizens with respiratory problems, two citizens with minor injuries and one citizen with mobility problems to the general hospital in Ierapetra. According to the fire brigade, a major fire-fighting operation is underway with land and air vehicles, while reinforcements from Athens have also arrived on the scene. The operational forces are constantly increasing, but the fire-fighting operation remains difficult due to the gusts of wind and the rough terrain in the area.