In Greece's Crete, thousands of individuals, including many foreign tourists, have been evacuated due to a significant forest fire that is currently uncontrollable.

According to "European Truth," this information is reported by Ekathimerini.

The fire broke out in an area between the towns of Ferma, Achlia, and Agia Fotia. The flames are spreading rapidly due to strong winds, complicating firefighting efforts – according to the fire department, the blaze has split into three main fronts.

Fire department spokesperson Giannis Vatrakogiannis reported that considerable forces are working in the area to combat numerous hotspots. "Wind gusts reaching 9 on the Beaufort scale are continuously creating new ignition points, severely hampering firefighters' work," he noted.

Currently, 230 firefighters, 46 fire engines, 10 helicopters, fire tanks, municipal engineering equipment, and drones are operating on-site. Police, coast guard, and emergency medical services are also involved.

As instructed by the head of the fire department, special teams are investigating the causes of the fire.

According to Georgios Tsarakis, head of the Hotel Association of Ierapetra, approximately 5,000 people have been evacuated from the area, primarily foreign tourists residing in hotels.

During the night leading into Thursday, some evacuees were accommodated in hotels in neighboring regions, while others were placed in the Ierapetra gym, which was opened as a temporary shelter.

As of now, three individuals with respiratory issues, two with minor injuries, and one person with mobility limitations have been hospitalized in Ierapetra.

The firefighting operation continues, and additional forces are arriving from Athens.

Due to the fire, many areas experienced power outages and mobile communication disruptions throughout the night. Currently, it is unknown how many homes have been destroyed by the fire.