A STATE of emergency has been declared in Crete after the popular Greek island was ravaged by dangerous wildfires.
In the past day, over 5,000 frightened vacationers have been leaving a popular tourist destination as a massive fire continues to spread through multiple areas.
Many people have been made to escape to safety by boat ever since a major fire broke out on Tuesday near to Ierapetra.
The flames rapidly spread and scorched acres of forests and olive groves helped by gale-force winds and dry conditions.
Officials reported that more than 1,000 people from at least four different communities threatened by the wildfires were moved to a temporary shelter within a sports stadium in Ierapetra on Wednesday.
The issues have continued to worsen in recent hours and left a state of emergency being declared earlier today.
It applies to Makry Gialos in Ierapetra and Agios Nikolaos in Lassithi with Ferma also being evacuated.
The declaration will remain in place for three months, until October 2, 2025, officials said.
Over a dozen people have been hospitalised so far with breathing issues, officials confirmed.
Homes have also been left decimated as the flames continue to cause havoc across Greece’s largest island.
As of this morning, the fires were raging on three separate fronts – Ferma, Achlia and Schinokapsala.
They have been made worse due to heavy gusts reaching up to 72mph which have hampered efforts to contain the flames.
As early evening fell the Crete fire brigade said in a statement: “The hours ahead are expected to be difficult.
“Currently, there are 170 firefighters on the scene, including eight forest commando units, 48 fire trucks, 17 planes dropping water, and seven helicopters.”
The Fire Service continues to warn of “very high” wildfire risk across Crete and southern Greece.
One volunteer, who lives in a village close to Rafina, spoke of the “apocalyptic scenes”.
He said: “You put out one front and another erupts.
“Homes have been burned to the ground, animals have died, and the smoke is suffocating.”
Britain’s Foreign Office is yet to issue a travel warning for holidaymakers heading to Greece.
They did announce in a statement however: “There is a high risk of wildfires during the summer season from April to October.
“Ensure that your mobile phone is registered to receive emergency alerts to be warned of wildfires near your location.
“Wildfires are highly dangerous and unpredictable. The situation can change quickly.”
A criminal investigation has now been launched with an urgent inquiry into the cause of the blazes underway.
It comes after wildfires in Turkey spread across holiday hotspots and caused havoc across the country.
Wildfires erupted in popular areas Kuyucak and Doganbey fanned overnight by winds which reached 25-30mph.
Four villages and two neighbourhoods were forced to evacuate, Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said.
And while those in Sakarya and Manisa are now largely under control, Izmir is still being ravaged by the flames.
More than 50,000 people have been evacuated since the wildfires started.
Adnan Menderes Airport was forced to temporarily close due to the raging wildfires, with some incoming planes made to divert to other airports.
