Two firefighters died in the wildfires in Crete. Several localities have been evacuated.

Two firefighters died on Wednesday during an intervention at a vegetation fire on the island of Crete, according to the Greek public broadcaster ERT.

The two were found dead in their vehicle, near the area of Nea Krya Vrysi in Rethymno. The Fire Department has sent condolences to the families of the victims.

A third firefighter died in the Peloponnese region, following another fire.

The fire on Crete broke out around noon and spread rapidly, prompting the evacuation of residents from Krya Vrysi, Saktouria, and Melampes. Approximately 125 firefighters, supported by aircraft and helicopters, intervened to extinguish the flames, which continued to manifest due to strong winds.

Greek authorities have opened an investigation to determine the cause of the fire. At the same time, Greece is facing fires in other areas, including the islands of Paros and Lesbos and in the regions of Messenia and Laconia in the Peloponnese, where preventive evacuations have been ordered.