Story perspectives
Two Firefighters Killed, Thousands Evacuated in Crete Wildfire
7/31/2026
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Story summary
- Two firefighters died in a Crete wildfire near Krya Vrysi on Wednesday.
- A third firefighter died near Gytheio on the mainland.
- About 8,000 Crete residents were evacuated overnight before returning.
- Winds of 125 km/h (Beaufort force 11) halted aircraft use.
- Fire chief Theodoros Vagias identified the dead as 58-year-old Emmanouil Stratidakis and 25-year-old Pantelis Diamantakis, to be buried Thursday.
