Hundreds of tourists in Greece have been forced to flee wildfires by sea as flames spread rapidly through the country, exacerbated by strong winds. In Viotia, central Greece, approximately 500 people, primarily tourists, were stranded near Agios Vasileios after a fire ignited Friday morning.
Local media reported that around 200 people have been evacuated by boat, with an additional 100 scheduled for transfer from Agios Vasileios. Footage depicted residents and holidaymakers boarding vessels as rescue teams worked to evacuate the area. Authorities had previously advised residents to move inland before the fire reached the town's outskirts.
Greece has experienced numerous fire flare-ups across the country. On the island of Crete, fire crews continued to battle hotspots from a fire that began Wednesday, which had previously forced the evacuation of hundreds of tourists and locals, including by sea. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies estimated that 2,000 tourists were evacuated from fires on Crete, with significant damage to homes, farmland, olive groves, and livestock.
Northwest of Athens, in the Boeotia region, hundreds of residents and visitors from a coastal community were evacuated via coast guard boats and fishing vessels amid thick smoke. Meanwhile, residents in two communities west of Athens were advised to evacuate as a precaution due to a wildfire producing large smoke plumes in the hills surrounding the capital.
Across Europe, wildfire activity has been widespread this summer. Record-breaking heatwaves have left vast areas of vegetation dry and susceptible to burning. In southwestern France, authorities began lifting evacuation orders after a week-long wildfire near Bordeaux was declared contained, allowing a significant portion of displaced residents to return home. Similarly, Spain reported progress, lifting its national emergency status in Avila and Madrid as conditions improved, though fire crews remained on alert.
However, strong winds continue to pose challenges for firefighters. In Zamora's Arribes del Duero Natural Park near the Portuguese border, flames swept through river canyons, leading to the evacuation of fourteen villages and orders for two others to remain indoors. A fire in Castellon province, Spain, remained active but had not spread for 48 hours, though thousands of residents remained displaced.
Scientists have attributed the extreme conditions across Europe to human-caused climate change, which has created hot and dry environments. Europe's average temperature is significantly above the historical norm, contributing to the ongoing wildfire crisis and posing health risks due to air pollution from smoke and ash.