A firefighter sprays water to stop the flames near Ierapetra, a town on the southern coast of Crete, Greece, on Thursday, July 3, 2025. A fast-moving wildfire led officials to evacuate nearby villages and beachside areas to keep people safe. AP
Firefighters worked hard Thursday to control wildfires near Athens and on the island of Crete. On Crete’s southern coast, flames forced over 5,000 people, including tourists and hotel staff, to evacuate from the Ierapetra area. Some even escaped into the sea and were rescued by fishermen and divers.
Ierapetra’s mayor, Manolis Frangoulis, said crews were trying to stop flare-ups while winds had briefly calmed. “Thankfully no one was hurt but it’s a difficult situation,” he said.
Tourists found shelter in other hotels or spent the night in a local indoor basketball stadium. Several homes and businesses suffered damage. Volunteers discovered many farm animals dead, some tragically burned while still tied up in sheds.
Near Rafina, 30 kilometers east of Athens, another fire disrupted ferry routes. Police knocked on doors to help older residents leave the area.
Deadly Fires Hit Western
Turkiye Across the border in Turkiye, fires turned deadly. A forestry worker lost his life while fighting flames near Odemis. An 81-year-old local also died from smoke inhalation. These were the first reported deaths in recent days as wildfires spread across the region.
A separate blaze near the coastal vacation town of Cesme, around 190 kilometers from Odemis, forced the evacuation of three neighborhoods. Fires began on Wednesday and quickly spread due to hot, dry conditions and strong winds. Roads closed as flames raced through dry brush on both sides of highways, captured in dramatic TV footage.
Turkiye Battles Dozens of Fires
Over the past week, Turkiye faced hundreds of wildfires. Though most are now under control, about 200 homes were damaged or destroyed. High heat, dry air, and wind made the situation worse.
Both Greece and Turkiye face wildfires every summer. However, experts warn that climate change is making things more severe.
Turkiye Takes Action on Climate Change
On Wednesday night, Turkiye’s parliament passed a major new climate law. The goal is to reach net-zero emissions by 2053. The law also sets up a carbon market board to help reduce harmful emissions.
Environmental experts welcomed the new law, noting the urgent need. Gizem Koc, a lawyer with an environmental group, said Turkiye is very vulnerable. “There is growing drought and water stress in some areas,” she said. “We are also seeing more floods and extreme weather events.”
