Over 220 firefighters are battling a wildfire in southern Crete, whilst strong winds are hampering aerial water drops. The funerals of the two firefighters who lost their lives Wednesday are taking place on Thursday.

A state of emergency has been declared in parts of Crete and elsewhere in Greece as firefighters battle intense wildfires, with hurricane-force winds fanning flames

Greek authorities declared a state of emergency in Agios Vasileios municipality in Rethymno, a regional unit on the southern Greek island of Crete, and evacuated about 8,000 residents and tourists as a major wildfire continued to rage on Crete on Thursday.

Two firefighters lost their lives while battling a fast-moving wildfire in Rethymno on the Greek island of Crete on Wednesday, as gale-force winds fueled the blaze across a front stretching more than 15 kilometers.

THIS is the dramatic moment hero fishermen rescued dozens of desperate holidaymakers stranded on Crete’s beaches as huge wildfires tore across Greek holiday islands. Footage shows the locals

So if golden sands and crystal-clear water are what you want from your next Greek escape, then look no further than the five-star Grecotel Creta Palace, a blissful resort located on the idyllic shores of one of Crete island’s longest sandy beaches.