Thousands evacuated in Crete as European wildfires continue to rage
Thousands of residents and tourists have been evacuated from the Greek island of Crete due to out-of-control wildfires fueled by extreme winds. The fires have already claimed the lives of three firefighters and caused significant property damage.
Why it matters
The increasing frequency of extreme wildfires in Europe highlights the growing impact of climate change on tourism and public safety.
Image source, EPA/Shutterstock Image caption, Residents and tourists have been evacuated from several villages in Crete
Thousands of people have been evacuated on the Greek island of Crete as wildfires fanned by strong winds menace tourist resorts and villages.
Around 8,000 people were evacuated overnight in Rethymno, where gusts have reached 125km per hour.
The evacuations came after two firefighters died on the island on Wednesday after getting trapped near Krya Vrysi, and a third died near the Peloponnese port town of Gytheio.
Greece is among many European countries facing devastating fires and droughts as the continent experiences extreme high temperatures.
Forecasters warn fire-prone conditions will spread towards the centre of Europe this week, with Greece and Turkey among places most affected.
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