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Three Firefighters Killed as Crete, Peloponnese Wildfires Ravage 4,500 Hectares

7/31/2026

Summary

Story summary

Three firefighters died battling wildfires on Crete and the Peloponnese on July 29-30, 2026.
Deputy regional governor Giorgos Tsapakos said gusts hit 125 km/h, halting aerial drops.
About 8,000 residents and tourists were evacuated from Krya Vrysi, Agia Galini and nearby villages on July 29-30, 2026.
Fires burned about 4,500 hectares (11,000 acres) south of Rethymno, destroying olive groves, warehouses and homes while over 200 firefighters and water-dropping aircraft kept fighting on July 30-31, 2026.

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Story summary

Three firefighters died battling wildfires on Crete and the Peloponnese on July 29-30, 2026.
Deputy regional governor Giorgos Tsapakos said gusts hit 125 km/h, halting aerial drops.
About 8,000 residents and tourists were evacuated from Krya Vrysi, Agia Galini and nearby villages on July 29-30, 2026.
Fires burned about 4,500 hectares (11,000 acres) south of Rethymno, destroying olive groves, warehouses and homes while over 200 firefighters and water-dropping aircraft kept fighting on July 30-31, 2026.