A major wildfire is underway on the Greek island of Crete, leading to hundreds of people being evacuated as the fire continues to burn out of control and spreading rapidly.

The fire is in rugged forested terrain near the municipality of Ierapetra and is threatening homes, tourist accommodation, and critical infrastructure, including a fuel station. The weather conditions are adding to the spread of the fires, with gale-force winds of up to 9 Beaufort fanning the flames and sending embers far from the fire front, which extends over 6km, starting new outbreaks.

Hundreds of firefighters and forest commando teams have been thrown into the battle against the fire, with the assistance of 3 helicopters, along with municipal and private water tankers, as well as construction machinery.

Thick smoke has engulfed the wider area, reducing visibility to near zero in places.

Approximately 1500 residents and visitors to the areas, such as in Agia Fotia, have been evacuated following the two mobile emergency messages sent via 112. Visitors to the area were transferred and accommodated in hotels in other areas, while a portion of residents and visitors spent the night in the indoor gymnasium of Ierapetra, which was opened for those displaced.