File photo.
A seventh village has been ordered evacuated in the Rethymno region of Crete, where a large forest fire fanned by high winds Wednesday has killed two firefighters, while a new blaze broke out elsewhere on the southern island.
Civil protection authorities ordered the evacuation of Aghia Galini late Wednesday, following similar instructions for Triopetra, Aghios Georgios, Aghios Pavlos, Sakhtouria, Melabes and Krya Vryssi.
A total 156 firefighters with 27 fire engines are battling the blaze on the ground, assisted by eight water-bombing aircraft, the Fire Service said.
A new wildfire broke out near Aghia Triada in the island’s Siteia region, burning through low scrub and mobilising 25 firefighters with five fire engines and one water-dropping helicopter.
