The large fire that started last night in the eastern part of the Greek island of Crete remains out of control, reports the state television ERT, quoted by BTA.
Due to strong winds, the fire has spread over a large area. An evacuation order has been issued for five villages - Achlia, Galini, Agia Fotia, Ferma and Koutsounari, and late in the evening it became known that some houses had burned down.
The deputy regional governor of Lasithi prefecture told ERT that “there is still no complete picture of how many houses have burned down“.
Hundreds of local residents and tourists fleeing the fire spent the evening in a sports hall in the city of Ierapetra, where an improvised camp has been organized. At one point, there were about 400 people there, including many children. Many were also accommodated in hotels. In total, about 1,500 evacuees were reported in Ierapetra.
In addition to the strong wind, efforts to extinguish the fire are being hampered by the inaccessible terrain.
Residents speak of "biblical destruction" and fear what awaits them when they return to their homes. Extensive damage is reported to agricultural land and greenhouses.
205 firefighters, 9 ground teams and 43 fire engines, as well as 4 helicopters, are battling the fire. Reinforcements were sent from Athens by ship and air and arrived on the island at dawn.
Medical teams in the area are on standby, and so far three people with respiratory problems, two with minor injuries and one person with mobility difficulties have been treated.
Yannis Androulakis, deputy governor of Lassithi, said that many places were without power and mobile phone signals due to the fire.