Greece: Greek Coast Guard evacuates dozens by sea as wildfire burns near Crete coastline.

RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT "GREEK COAST GUARD" HANDOUT —EDITORIAL USE ONLY— SHOTLIST RETHYMNO, GREECE (JULY 29, 2026) (GREEK COAST GUARD - RESTRICTED) 1. VARIOUS OF COAST GUARD VESSELS CARRYING OUT SEA EVACUATION OPERATION OFF WILDFIRE-AFFECTED COASTRETHYMNO, GREECE - JULY 29 - RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT "GREEK COAST GUARD" HANDOUT —EDITORIAL USE ONLY—: The Greek Coast Guard evacuated 31 people by sea from the Agios Pavlos area on the southern coast of Crete on Wednesday, July 29, after a fast-moving wildfire near Krya Vrysi threatened coastal communities. The emergency operation was coordinated by the Joint Rescue Coordination Center and deployed two Coast Guard patrol boats, a Greek Navy vessel, a Frontex patrol craft, and private vessels operating in the region. All 31 evacuees were safely transported to the port of Kokkinos Pyrgos. Footage released by the Greek Coast Guard showed patrol vessels operating off the fire-affected coastline as rescue teams evacuated people from the area. On Wednesday, two firefighters were killed while battling a wildfire on the Greek island of Crete, according to public broadcaster ERT. The firefighters were found dead inside their vehicle in the Nea Krya Vrysi area of Rethymno after apparently being trapped by the flames. One was a seasonal firefighter, while the other had five years at the Agia Fotini fire station. The fire, which broke out around noon, spread rapidly as wind gusts reached seven on the Beaufort scale, prompting authorities to issue successive emergency alerts. Residents of Krya Vrysi, Saktouria and Melampes were ordered to evacuate, while those in the Triopetra area were instructed to leave via the coastal road toward Kerame. Some 125 firefighters, including six specialized forest firefighting teams, were deployed with 27 fire engines. Four aircraft and four helicopters were also mobilized, while municipal water tankers and heavy machinery supported the operation. Authorities said the firefighting force had been significantly reinforced as the blaze continued to rage under strong winds. The Rethymno Fire Service’s arson investigation unit has launched an inquiry into the cause of the fire.