Thousands of residents and tourists have been evacuated from the Greek island of Crete as wildfires, fanned by strong winds, continue to rage in the Rethymno region. The island, a popular tourist destination, typically sees millions of visitors in July.
Approximately 224 firefighters, supported by 53 engines, 11 specialized units, and two aircraft, are engaged in battling the blazes, according to the Greek fire service. Tragically, two firefighters, identified as Emmanouil Stratidakis, 58, and Pantelis Diamantakis, 25, died on Wednesday while on duty. Both are scheduled to be buried on Thursday.
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Across Europe, the wildfire situation remains critical. In Spain, around 600 people were evacuated near the Portuguese border due to a fire in Zamora. The eastern town of Valpaços in Portugal has seen five injuries resulting from a fire there, according to local media reports.
Meanwhile, fires that had threatened the Spanish capital of Madrid have been contained, allowing thousands of residents to return to their homes. However, a fire in Ávila province has become the largest recorded wildfire in Spanish history, scorching over 43,000 hectares (108,000 acres) in the past week.
In Turkey, authorities have brought the majority of fires under control, though hundreds of homes were evacuated in the region.
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