Požari na Kreti: 8.000 ljudi je bilo evakuiranih

Greek firefighters battled fierce wildfires on the island of Crete for a second day, with over 8,000 people evacuated due to the threat posed by the flames. The fires, fueled by strong winds, continued to spread rapidly, causing significant damage and prompting emergency responses across multiple regions. In the coastal town of Agia Galini, authorities ordered the evacuation of residents as the blaze approached within less than a kilometer of the area. Four rescue ships, including one from the European Border Surveillance Agency, were stationed off the coast to assist with operations, though conditions remained extremely challenging due to high wind speeds reaching up to 125 km/h. The situation in Crete worsened further as reports indicated that three firefighters lost their lives, two while battling the main blaze near Agia Galini and one near Gytheio in the Peloponnese peninsula. Strong winds, which persisted throughout the day, made aerial firefighting efforts nearly impossible, forcing ground crews to rely heavily on water tankers and helicopters. Over 200 firefighters and 53 fire trucks were deployed to contain the flames, yet the unpredictable nature of the weather continued to hinder progress. The region, already classified as being in a “very high” fire risk category, faced ongoing threats as the fire showed no signs of slowing down. Meanwhile, in Athens, authorities issued precautionary evacuation orders for parts of the western suburbs following a separate wildfire that ignited near the Chaïdari neighborhood. This fire, located just 11 kilometers from the city center, was exacerbated by the same strong winds affecting much of the country. The Greek Civil Protection agency confirmed that the situation in Rethymnon remained critical, with the fire still not fully contained despite some improvements in containment efforts. According to local reports, the flames had already scorched over 4,500 hectares of land by Wednesday and Thursday, with many areas classified as being at “very high” risk. The impact of the fires extended beyond Crete, with similar challenges facing other parts of Greece. In the Peloponnese, near the port of Patras, a separate fire required the deployment of four water bombers and three helicopters to combat the growing threat. Meanwhile, in the Cycladic islands of Paros and Andros, as well as the island of Kalymnos, the situation showed signs of improvement, though authorities remained on high alert due to the persistent strong winds sweeping through the Aegean Sea. These winds, which reached speeds of up to 88 km/h, disrupted ferry traffic and complicated efforts to transport resources to affected areas. The Greek government, led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, warned that the country would experience “difficult days” as the fire season intensifies. He noted that Greece had initially been spared from severe wildfires earlier in the summer, unlike neighboring countries such as France and Spain, which had suffered devastating blazes. However, the current conditions suggest that the situation will likely worsen in the coming days. A spokesperson for the Firefighters’ Union emphasized that the combination of strong winds, rugged terrain, and dense smoke made aerial interventions particularly dangerous, with several incidents reported where aircraft were unable to operate effectively. Across the broader Mediterranean region, the wildfires continue to highlight the growing risks associated with climate change. In France, authorities expressed cautious optimism as the Gironde region saw a slight improvement in conditions, allowing over 84,000 people to return home. In Spain, the state of emergency was lifted in the Madrid region after the fire was declared largely extinguished, although officials warned that the risk of new outbreaks remains high due to ongoing heatwaves. In Portugal, over 800 firefighters worked alongside six air support units to tackle a major blaze that had consumed more than 6,000 hectares of land. In Turkey, 115 fires were reported, with 110 of them brought under control by emergency services. As the situation continues to evolve, international cooperation and resource sharing remain crucial in managing the scale of these disasters. With temperatures continuing to rise and weather patterns becoming increasingly erratic, the challenge of containing wildfires is expected to grow more complex in the months ahead. For now, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of affected communities and deploying additional resources to prevent further loss of life and property.