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The Independent
21 hours ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Is it safe to travel to Crete? Your holiday rights as wildfires rip through Greek island
A huge wildfire has ripped through areas of Crete, forcing at least 5,000 tourists and residents to evacuate as strong winds fan the flames. The rapid fire has destroyed homes in areas such as Agia Fotia, where local reports say the power has been cut. Meanwhile, evacuees have taken shelter at an indoor sports hall in Lerapetra, with emergency alerts continuing throughout Thursday, telling people to immediately leave their area. Some beachgoers ended up trapped and had to be evacuated by boat from isolated sandy stretches. Authorities said that the fire is 'very hard to contain' as around 230 firefighters, dozens of engines, forest crews, and helicopters battled the flames, with reinforcement crews arriving by sea and air from the mainland. The island is a beloved destination for tourists, many of whom would have started flocking to the Greek island as the summer season began. As more are set to fly to Crete for its sweltering temperatures and pristine beaches, here is what we know about the wildfires so far. Where are the wildfires? The fires broke out on Wednesday afternoon in the forested hills near Ierapetra, where dense, flammable vegetation was set alight and spread quickly due to gusty winds. Just before 3pm on Wednesday, Greece's emergency services warned of an active forest fire in Crete. It told those in the areas of Agia Fotia, Achlia, Galini and Ferma to move away and evacuate towards Ierapetra, following the instructions of the authorities. Just after 6pm, it also advised the same of those in Koutsounari. Authorities have shut off roads near the fire zone, telling residents and tourists to avoid non-essential travel due to the hazardous air quality, falling ash and harsh heat. The strong winds have sent the flames southward, stretching more than 6km, authorities have said, while thick smoke has also fallen over the region, reaching as far as some beaches 10km from the fire area. Government advice The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) had not given any specific travel advice regarding the wildfires in Crete as of Friday morning (4 July). In its general advice, the FCDO says that lighting fires in the country is both dangerous and illegal due to the high risk of wildfires. 'There is a high risk of wildfires during the summer season from April to October. Ensure that your mobile phone is registered to receive emergency alerts to be warned of wildfires near your location,' the advice says. 'Wildfires are highly dangerous and unpredictable. The situation can change quickly.' To avoid the risk of starting wildfires, the FCDO says not to leave litter behind, especially not glass, which is known to start fires, to make sure cigarettes are properly extinguished, and not to light barbecues. 'Causing a wildfire or a forest fire is a criminal offence in Greece – even if unintentional. If you see a fire, call the emergency services on 112,' it adds. It also advises travellers to follow @112Greece for official updates, adhere to the guidance of the emergency services, call the Greek emergency services on 112 if you are in immediate danger and contact your airline or travel operator, who can assist you with return travel to the UK. Will my flight get cancelled? There appears to be no disruption to flights due to the wildfires. Both of the island's main airports are in the north, away from the fires. Heraklion International Airport on Crete has no cancellations or disruptions to its flight schedule, data from FlightRadar shows. Chania International Airport, also on the island, has not seen any significant disruptions to its flights. Most airlines adhere to a policy whereby they should put you on the next available flight in the event of a cancellation. Compensation is unlikely when the cause of a cancellation is out of the airline's control, such as wildfires. Can I cancel my holiday? As the Foreign Office has not warned against non-essential travel to Greece, there will be no special circumstances in place to be able to cancel a trip for a full refund. The conditions for cancelling your trip will be dependent on your holiday provider, so it's best to contact them if you're looking to postpone. There is no obligation for companies to refund bookings if you want to cancel, and you will not be able to claim on your travel insurance due to safety concerns unless government advice changes. If you do have travel insurance, some policies include natural disaster cover for an event that prevents you from reaching your holiday destination. Check your insurance policies and speak to your insurer to see where you stand.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Crete wildfires mapped: Mass evacuations as fires burn on south coast of holiday island
At least 1,500 people have been evacuated from parts of Crete as a massive wildfire continues to blaze on the Greek island. Gale force winds fanned the flames and driven the blaze south, after the fire broke out in the hills near Ierapetra on the eastern end of the island. People from villages including Achlia, Ferma, Agia Fotia and Koutsounari and surrounding tourist resorts and hotels have been evacuated to Ierapetra's indoor sports hall for shelter. The blaze has already destroyed homes in places including Agia Fotia, while some people have been treated for smoke inhalation, according to authorities. The BBC reports at least four people have been taken to hospital with respiratory problems. The fire began in an area of dense, flammable vegetation between Agia Fotia and Skinokapsala, with steep slopes, parched ground and gusty winds making containment extremely difficult. Authorities said the fire has been difficult to contain, and 230 firefighters continue to battle the blaze with help from 10 water-dropping aircraft. "It's a very difficult situation. The fire is very hard to contain. Right now, they cannot contain it," Nektarios Papadakis, a civil protection official at the regional authority, told AP. "The tourists who were moved out are all okay. They have been taken to an indoor basketball arena and hotels in other regions of the island.' Large parts of Greece remain under an orange alert for fire danger as the summer wildfire season continues. Last week emergency services conducted evacuations near Athens after a wildfire broke out near the capital. Athens and the surrounding region remains under an orange alert level, while the Cyclades Islands and the Dodecanese Islands are under a yellow alert, according to the Greek Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Is it safe to travel to Crete? What to know as wildfires rip through holiday towns
A huge wildfire has ripped through areas of Crete, forcing at least 1,500 tourists and residents to evacuate as strong winds fan the flames. The rapid fire has destroyed homes in areas such as Agia Fotia, where local reports say the power has been cut. Meanwhile, evacuees have taken shelter at an indoor sports hall in Lerapetra, with emergency alerts continuing throughout Wednesday, telling people to immediately leave their area. Some beachgoers ended up trapped and had to be evacuated by boat from isolated sandy stretches. Authorities overnight said that the fire is 'very hard to contain' as 155 firefighters, dozens of engines, forest crews, and helicopters battled the flames, with reinforcement crews arriving by sea and air from the mainland. The island is a beloved destination for tourists, many of whom would have started flocking to the Greek island as the summer season began. As more are set to fly to Crete for its sweltering temperatures and pristine beaches, here is what we know about the wildfires so far. Where are the wildfires? The fires broke out on Wednesday afternoon in the forested hills near Ierapetra, where dense, flammable vegetation was set alight and spread quickly due to gusty winds. Just before 3pm on Wednesday, Greece's emergency services warned of an active forest fire in Crete. It told those in the areas of Agia Fotia, Achlia, Galini and Ferma to move away and evacuate towards Ierapetra, following the instructions of the authorities. Just after 6pm, it also advised the same of those in Koutsounari. Authorities have shut off roads near the fire zone, telling residents and tourists to avoid non-essential travel due to the hazardous air quality, falling ash and harsh heat. The strong winds have sent the flames southward stretching more than 6km, authorities have said, while thick smoke has also fallen over the region, reaching as far as some beaches 10km from the fire area. Government advice The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) had not given any specific travel advice regarding the wildfires in Crete as of Thursday morning. In its general advice, the FCDO says that lighting fires in the country is both dangerous and illegal due to the high risk of wildfires. 'There is a high risk of wildfires during the summer season from April to October. Ensure that your mobile phone is registered to receive emergency alerts to be warned of wildfires near your location,' the advice says. 'Wildfires are highly dangerous and unpredictable. The situation can change quickly.' To avoid the risk of starting wildfires, the FCDO says not to leave litter behind, especially not glass, which is known to start fires, to make sure cigarettes are properly extinguished, and not to light barbecues. 'Causing a wildfire or a forest fire is a criminal offence in Greece – even if unintentional. If you see a fire, call the emergency services on 112,' it adds. It also advises travellers to follow @112Greece for official updates, adhere to the guidance of the emergency services, call the Greek emergency services on 112 if you are in immediate danger and contact your airline or travel operator, who can assist you with return travel to the UK. Will my flight get cancelled? There appears to be no disruption to flights due to the wildfires. Both of the island's main airports are in the north, away from the fires. Heraklion International Airport on Crete has no cancellations or disruptions to its flight schedule, data from FlightRadar shows. Chania International Airport, also on the island, has not seen any significant disruptions to its flights. Most airlines adhere to a policy whereby they should put you on the next available flight in the event of a cancellation. Compensation is unlikely when the cause of a cancellation is out of the airline's control, such as wildfires. Can I cancel my holiday? As the Foreign Office has not warned against non-essential travel to Greece, there will be no special circumstances in place to be able to cancel a trip for a full refund. The conditions for cancelling your trip will be dependent on your holiday provider, so it's best to contact them if you're looking to postpone. There is no obligation for companies to refund bookings if you want to cancel, and you will not be able to claim on your travel insurance due to safety concerns unless government advice changes. If you do have travel insurance, some policies include natural disaster cover for an event that prevents you from reaching your holiday destination. Check your insurance policies and speak to your insurer to see where you stand.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Tourist resorts evacuated as strong winds fan wildfire spreading across Greek island
A massive wildfire is rapidly spreading across the Greek island of Crete, forcing the evacuation of at least 1,500 people from villages, tourist resorts, and coastal hotels. The blaze, which started Wednesday afternoon near Lerapetra, is being fuelled by gale-force winds, making containment extremely difficult for emergency services. The fast-moving fire has already destroyed homes and rental properties in settlements like Agia Fotia, leading to power cuts and road closures. Firefighting efforts involving 155 firefighters, numerous engines, and air support are ongoing, with reinforcements arriving from the mainland to battle the flames. Several people have been treated for smoke inhalation, and hospitals across Crete are on alert as the region, like other parts of Europe, experiences a heatwave.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Thousands evacuated as massive wildfire rips through Greek holiday island
A massive wildfire is tearing through the Greek island of Crete, forcing the evacuation of at least 1,500 people from villages, tourist resorts and coastal hotels as strong winds fuel the blaze's rapid advance. The fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon in the forested hills near Lerapetra. Crete is one of Greece's most popular destinations for both foreign and domestic tourists. Gale-force winds, gusting up to eight on the Beaufort scale, have driven flames southward across a front now stretching more than 6km, emergency services said. The fast-moving blaze has already destroyed homes and rental properties in settlements such as Agia Fotia, where local reports say power has been cut. Authorities have closed major roads near the fire zone and urged residents and holidaymakers to avoid non-essential travel due to hazardous air quality, intense heat and falling ash. Thick smoke has blanketed the region, reducing visibility and reaching beaches 10km from the fire front. A map of Lerapertra: Mass evacuations have been carried out in areas like Achlia, Ferma, Agia Fotia and Koutsounari, with many evacuees sent to Lerapetra's indoor sports hall for temporary shelter. Emergency alerts have been broadcast throughout the day, instructing people to leave immediately. Some trapped individuals have reportedly been evacuated by boat from isolated beaches. Firefighting efforts intensified overnight, with 155 firefighters, dozens of engines, specialised forest crews and helicopters battling the flames. Additional teams and equipment were arriving by sea and air from the mainland to reinforce exhausted local units. Several people, including elderly residents, have been treated for smoke inhalation and health authorities have placed hospitals on alert across Crete. 'It's a very difficult situation. The fire is very hard to contain. Right now, they cannot contain it,' Nektarios Papadakis, a civil protection official at the regional authority, told The Associated Press overnight. 'The tourists who were moved out are all okay. They have been taken to an indoor basketball arena and hotels in other regions of the island,' he said. The fire began in an area of dense, flammable vegetation between Agia Fotia and Skinokapsala, with steep slopes, parched ground and gusty winds making containment extremely difficult. Officials say crews will work through the night to protect threatened settlements by creating firebreaks. The crisis comes while a heatwave grips parts of Europe. In France, hundreds of schools were closed as the temperature gauge hit 40C in Paris on Tuesday, according to the weather service Meteo-France, with a lower high of 35C expected on Wednesday. Italy recorded t wo deaths linked to extreme heat. Earlier in the week, Turkey evacuated more than 50,000 people facing wildfires in Izmir province.
