TWO FIREFIGHTERS DIE IN CRETE WILDFIRES AS THOUSANDS EVACUATE

Two firefighters have died on Crete after becoming trapped whilst tackling a wildfire in the Rethymno region near Krya Vrysi. A third firefighter died on the Greek mainland near the port town of Gytheio in the Peloponnese. The deaths occurred as multiple wildfires raged across Greece's largest island. Wind gusts reached 125 kilometres per hour on Crete during the emergency.

Approximately 8,000 people, including tourists, were evacuated from their homes overnight as fires spread through the mountains. Those evacuated were later permitted to return to their residences. Greek fishermen joined efforts to assist tourists fleeing from beaches affected by the blazes. Multiple holiday islands experienced active wildfires during the period.

The evacuation on Crete came as wildfires also spread across southern France. The scale of the fire emergency across the Mediterranean region prompted widespread displacement of residents and holidaymakers. Authorities in both countries activated emergency response protocols to manage evacuations and firefighting operations.