Dozens of rural and forest fires broke out in Greece within 24 hours, while gale-force winds made firefighting operations difficult in many parts of the country.
From 6 pm on Tuesday to 6 pm on Wednesday, the Greek Fire Service recorded 37 rural and forest fires. Thirty were tackled immediately, while operations were still under way in seven cases. The most serious fronts were in southern Crete and in Plomari on Lesbos, in the northern Aegean.
The largest and most challenging fire was still burning on Thursday morning in southern Rethymno, where two firefighters lost their lives during the operation.
The blaze triggered evacuations in villages and tourist areas and damaged homes, crops and livestock facilities, while strong winds significantly limited aerial assets' ability to intervene.
Fire in southern Rethymno out of control
