The Fire Service confirmed Wednesday that two firefighters have died during efforts to contain a major forest fire on the southern island of Crete that has so far forced the evacuation of six villages.
“This is an extremely difficult day for the Fire Service,” it said in a statement. “[The two firefighters] fell heroically doing their duty and trying to protect the public’s lives and property, as well as the natural environment.”
The statement said that the Fire Brigade’s leadership expressed its “deep sorrow” at the deaths and offered condolences to the families of the two firefighters.
The fire in the Rethymno region of Crete has triggered evacuation orders for the villages of Triopetra, Aghios Georgios, Aghios Pavlos, Sakhtouria, Melabes and Krya Vryssi.
A total 110 firefighters with 27 fire engines were battling the blaze on the ground, assisted by four water-bombing aircraft, the Fire Service said.
