(Adnkronos) – The out-of-control fire continues to rage on the Greek island of Crete, on the southeastern coast, which broke out yesterday afternoon in a wooded area near hotels, holiday homes, accommodation facilities and residences. Authorities have carried out mass evacuations of hotels, rented rooms and homes in the municipality of Ferma after gale force winds caused the flames to spread rapidly southwards. So far, about 1,500 people have been evacuated from villages and tourist areas and transferred to Ierapetra. About 200 displaced people have been housed in the sports hall.
According to emergency services, the fire front now extends for at least six kilometers, making containment increasingly difficult. Thick smoke has enveloped the wide area, reducing visibility to almost zero in some places. The smoke has extended to Makry Gialos beach, 10 kilometers from Achlia in Lasithi.
The main road near the settlement of Agia Fotia has been closed by police, who have urged residents and visitors to avoid all non-essential travel due to hazardous air quality, extreme heat and falling ash. In the settlement of Agia Fotia, houses and rental properties have been destroyed and the area is without power, according to local sources.
At least four elderly people have been hospitalized with respiratory problems caused by smoke inhalation. As a precaution, health authorities have put all hospitals in Crete on alert.
