Three firefighters have died whilst battling wildfires on the Greek island of Crete and in the Peloponnese.
Hundreds of people were evacuated on Wednesday from Krya Vrysi, Crete, and nearby villages.
Hundreds respond to wildfires
More than 200 firefighters as well as fire engines and aircraft have been sent to tackle two wildfires on the island.
Two of the firefighters died after they became trapped near Kryra Vrysi, whilst another died in a seperate fire in the Peloponnese port town of Gytheio.
Strong winds and adverse weather are thought to have been making conditions worse. The worst fire front in Crete was reported as extending to 15km.
Prime Minister pays tribute
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, said: “My thoughts … are with all the firefighters, volunteers and members of the security services fighting on the blazing fronts amid a new harsh reality they are summoned to deal with every year.”
Wildfires have broken out elsewhere in Greece, including on the islands of Paros and Lesbos, and the town of Trifylia in mainland Greece.
EU Commissioner visits France
Meanwhile, the EU’s Commissioner for Preparedness, Crisis Management and Equality, Hadja Lahbib is visiting Gironde, France, which has been affected by wildfires over the last week.
She said: “In the midst of these unprecedented wildfires, there are images that will forever remain etched in our minds, such as columns of farmers’ trucks heading to Gironde to support firefighters with water supplies.
“This human solidarity is exactly what we are doing at the European level. Since June, nearly 800 firefighters from 14 countries have been stationed in high-risk areas.
“Across Europe, firefighters are leaving their own homes to protect others’. The first face people see when they flee the flames may come from another European country.
“They may wear different uniforms, speak different languages, but they are fighting the same fire with the same European spirit.
“Thanks to our European solidarity mechanism, when France or Spain called, Europe responded with boots on the ground, planes in the air, and even satellites in space mapping the emergency in real time.
“Climate change is no longer knocking on Europe’s door, it is already inside. The only answer is more unity, more solidarity. More Europe.”
