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The Sun
a day ago
- Climate
- The Sun
Is Crete safe to travel to? Latest holiday advice as Greek island wildfires see tourists evacuated
YESTERDAY wildfires broke out and spread across the southern coast of Crete in Greece, leading to the evacuation of over 1,500 people. With the fires ongoing, here is everything you need to know about travelling to Crete. 3 What is happening in Crete? Wildfires have broken out on the southern coast of Crete in Greece, with winds spreading the fire and creating a six kilometre front. Over 230 firefighters are currently tackling the blaze, with more than 1,500 people evacuated from homes and hotels on Wednesday. Smoke from the fires has reached as far as Makry Gialos Beach, according to the BBC, which is six miles from Achlia, in Lasithi, where the fire is currently being battled. Emergency alerts were also issued throughout the day yesterday, urging people to evacuate from Achlia, Ferma, Agia, Fotia, Galini and Koutsounari. The Greek Ministry of Climate Crisis & Civil Protection has issued "a very high fire risk category four" alert for tomorrow, in the Attica region (including the island of Kythira), region of Evia in central Greece, the Peloponnese region and the North Aegean region (Chios, Samos, Ikaria). Is it safe to visit Crete? The Foreign Office has currently not issued any warning against non-essential travel to the region. The Foreign Office's advice for wildfires in Greece states: "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. "Wildfires are highly dangerous and unpredictable. The situation can change quickly. "To avoid starting wildfires: leave no litter, especially not glass which is known to start fires; make sure cigarettes are properly extinguished; do not light barbecues. The TUI guide to Crete from best beaches to passport rules "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." The Foreign Office's advice adds that individuals should follow '@112Greece' for official updates, follow guidance from local emergency services, call the Greek emergency services on 112 if you are in immediate danger and to contact your airline or travel operator about return travel to the UK. Have flights been cancelled to Crete airport? Flights are currently uninterrupted, with some delays of up to an hour according to FlightRadar24, at Heraklion International Airport and Chania International Airport. However delays are more likely to have been caused by ATC strikes today, disrupting usage of the French airspace. There are also staff shortages at some airports in Europe and summer storm activity is currently occurring over the Alps. 3 Can I cancel my trip? As the Foreign Office has not warned against non-essential travel to Greece, there are no special circumstances in place for travellers to cancel their trip and receive a full refund. Depending on what travel insurance you have, your policy might include natural disaster cover. This means that your insurance covers you for when you are unable to reach your holiday destination due to a natural event, like wildfires. So it is worth checking your travel insurance policy. If you do choose to cancel your trip, it is best to contact your airline or holiday provider and there is no obligation for companies to refund bookings unless government advice changes. Turkey wildfire map also shows the horror blazes near Brit holiday hotspots as 50,000 people were evacuated. Plus, back in May, an earthquake hit Crete. Flight compensation rules A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs. What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed? Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late. If you are flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight. You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven't used yet. So, if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded. But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline. When am I not entitled to compensation? The airline doesn't have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather. Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other 'extraordinary circumstances' are not eligible for compensation. Some airlines may stretch the definition of "extraordinary circumstances" but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled? If you can't claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you. Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer. Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof. If your flight is cancelled entirely, you're unlikely to be covered by your insurance. 3
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
Is it safe to travel to Crete? Latest tourist advice as wildfire rips through holiday hotspots
Tourists, hotels and homes have been evacuated as a wildfire spreads rapidly on the Greek island of Crete. The blaze broke out on Wednesday afternoon (2 July) and has been whipped by gale-force winds in rugged and forested terrain. Around 230 firefighters were operating in the area overnight to try and contain the blaze. This morning, 10 water-dropping aircraft were dispatched to fly regular sorties over Crete, with reinforcements sent from Athens. Around 1,500 people have been evacuated from surrounding villages and tourist areas. Approximately 200 evacuees are being sheltered in an indoor sports arena, according to reports. Crete is one of Greece 's most popular tourist destinations, with almost 1 million Brits visiting in 2024. Here's what we know so far… Where is the fire? The out-of-control blaze first sparked in a forest area in the municipality of Ierapetra, a 90-minute drive from the island's main airport. The perimeter of the fire now stretches to almost 4 miles (6km), with thick smoke reducing visibility in the nearby area. As its spread, buildings and infrastructure – including a fuel station – have been threatened. Smoke from the fire has stretched as far as Makry Gialos beach, 6 miles (10 kilometres) from Achlia in Lasithi where firefighters were battling the blaze. Other firefighters are also trying to tame a wildfire on the island of Kythira and another blaze in the northern region of Chalkidiki, which rage uncontrolled. It comes amid a heatwave that has left most of continental Europe sweltering, with at least eight people said to have died. Wildfires have sparked in Turkey and Spain. Two of the four people who died in Spain were killed by a wildfire in Catalonia. Are airlines still flying to Crete? The island's main airport in Heraklion is open and there are no cancelled arrivals as of Thursday morning (3 July). It's a similar picture at Chania airport. Major airlines and tour operators flying from the UK have not changed their plans – and if your flight is cancelled, you're unlikely to get compensation due to the nature of the disruption being out of the airline's hands. What is the government travel advice? The Foreign Office advice for travelling to Greece remains the same. It offers general advice around wildfires, stating: '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.' 'Wildfires are highly dangerous and unpredictable. The situation can change quickly.' What if I want to cancel my holiday? Your best bet is to speak to the company you booked your holiday with – though, giving that the government still considers the island safe to travel to, operators are not liable to refund you. If you share your concerns, they may allow you to postpone. It's unlikely you can claim on your travel insurance unless the Foreign Office warned against travel to some or all of the island. Again, it's worth speaking to your insurance provider.
BBC News
a day ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Greece wildfires: mass evacuations as blaze rages near Ierapetra, Crete
A major wildfire in Greece continues to burn out of control in eastern Crete, after breaking out on Wednesday afternoon in rugged forested terrain near the municipality of by gale-force winds reaching up to eight on the Beaufort scale, the flames have spread rapidly southward, threatening homes, tourist accommodation, and critical infrastructure, including a fuel fire front now extends over at least 6km, according to emergency services, making containment increasingly smoke engulfed the wider area, reducing visibility to near zero in places. The smoke stretched as far as Makry Gialos beach, 10km from Achlia in Lasithi where firefighters were battling the blaze. 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, homes and rental properties have been destroyed, and the area is experiencing a power outage, according to local reports. At least four elderly people have been taken to hospital with respiratory problems caused by smoke a precaution, all hospitals in Crete have been placed on alert by health have also ordered the mass evacuation of hotels, rental rooms and homes in the Ferma municipality, as the flames approach the area. The operation is underway with the support of the fire service, police and local far, approximately 1,500 people have been evacuated from surrounding settlements and tourist areas and moved to Ierapetra. Around 200 evacuees are being sheltered in the town's indoor sports arena. The firefighting response has been significantly reinforced. As of Wednesday night, 155 firefighters, eight specialised foot teams, and 38 fire engines are operating on the ground. Four helicopters carried out water drops until nightfall. Local municipalities have also deployed water tankers and heavy forces are en route. Seventeen firefighters and one foot team from the 1st EMODE (Special Forest Firefighting Unit) are travelling by ferry from Piraeus, along with five fire engines, while 33 firefighters and four additional EMODE teams are due to arrive by air from to public broadcaster ERT, the fire service has ordered a tactical withdrawal from the fire front to protect personnel and prioritise the creation of firebreaks around at-risk settlements. Crews are expected to remain on the ground throughout the alerts via the 112 public warning system were issued throughout the day, calling for evacuations from Achlia, Ferma, Agia Fotia, Galini, and later Koutsounari, instructing residents and tourists to move towards individuals who were cut off by road were reportedly evacuated by boat from local fire, believed to have started between Agia Fotia and the village of Skinokapsala, continues to burn through dense, highly flammable forest, with steep terrain, dry conditions and strong winds making containment extremely this week in Turkey more than 50,000 people were evacuated due to wildfires in the western province of least six heat-related deaths have been reported in Europe as the continent reels under an early summer heatwave. The latest recorded fatalities were in Spain and Italy. There were also casualties in France.
