Coast Guard personnel and members of the European Union’s Frontex border agency evacuated 31 people who were fleeing the huge wildfire blazing through southern Crete from beaches in the area, authorities said Thursday.
The Coast Guard said in a statement that three of its own vessels and a Frontex patrol boat took part in the operation to embark people from beaches near the village of Aghios Pavlos, that was ordered evacuated Wednesday. Private vessels also assisted in the effort.
The evacuees were taken to the port of Kokkinos Pyrgos.
It said the operation took place under adverse weather conditions, with gale-force winds and very low visibility. Three Coast Guard vessels remained on duty in the area overnight should more evacuations by sea be required, the statement said.
