Two firefighters have died in a forest fire on the Greek island of Crete.
July 29, 2026, 5:44 p.mJuly 29, 2026, 5:44 p.m
The fire has been raging in the area of Nea Krya Vrysi since midday. The region lies in the mountainous hinterland in the southern part of the island.
The large Greek island of Crete is also currently suffering from fires.Image: keystone
The two emergency services were trapped in the flames in their vehicle, the broadcaster ERTNews reported. The mayor of a nearby town confirmed to the station that the two firefighters had become disoriented in the thick smoke and were surrounded by flames in their vehicle.
Forest fire has been raging since midday
The fire front is now said to be around 15 kilometers long. Five towns have already been evacuated due to the rapid spread of the flames and strong winds. More than 100 firefighters are on duty. However, four firefighting helicopters and four firefighting planes had to turn back because the wind in the region was too strong. Videos from residents on social media show squalls pushing the flames and smoke.
For large parts of Greece, the Ministry of Citizen Protection warns of a very high risk of forest fires in the coming days. The strong Meltemi winds from the north, which are typical of this time of year, increase the risk of large-scale fires that are difficult to control. (sda/dpa)