Hundreds escape Greek wildfire by sea as blazes continue across Europe

What the report says

Hundreds of people have been evacuated by sea from the coastal town of Agios Vasileios in central Greece after fast-moving wildfires cut off access, according to BBC World News. The report says about 500 people, mostly tourists, were trapped when a fire broke out near the town in Viotia on Friday morning and spread rapidly in strong winds. Greek officials were also working to move remaining residents and visitors to safety, with more than 200 already evacuated and another 100 expected to leave by boat.

The BBC said a separate fire had also started further along the coast, burning farmland before reaching the rural town of Xironomi. Firefighters were meanwhile continuing to tackle a major blaze on Crete, where thousands of hectares have already burned and around 8,000 people have been temporarily evacuated. Other fires were reported on the islands of Paros, Andros and Kalymnos.

The wider context is a severe wildfire season across southern Europe. The BBC reported that Portugal and Spain are also battling major blazes, while Turkey has several active fires along its Mediterranean coast. The article noted that recent heatwaves and dry conditions have made fires more likely and harder to control, although most ignitions are still linked to human activity. The developments highlight the strain on emergency services during an intense summer fire period and the risks to coastal and tourist areas.