Roughly 5,000 mostly foreign tourists in the municipality of Ierapetra have been moved due to the fire raging in the area since Wednesday afternoon, following the issue of a warning to evacuate, the president of the Southeastern Crete Hoteliers Association Giorgos Tzarakis said on Thursday.
Speaking to radiolasithi.gr, Tzarakis added that most of the tourists who were evacuated from the accommodations in the area east of Ierapetra, were transferred to hotels in Heraklion and Hersonissos.
He described in dramatic tones the situation that prevailed after the outbreak of the large fire in the area (KTG Report HERE) from Schinokapsala to Agia Fotia short after 4 pm on Wednesday, saying that the blaze expanded at an extremely fast pace, due to strong winds, reaching the beach of Agia Fotia in a short time.
The damage was extensive, with destruction to homes, businesses, taverns and the natural environment of the area.
“In Agia Fotia, the entire ecosystem and the beach tavern that operated there have been burned down,” he said, while noting that it is not clear whether there was material damage to the Eden Rock hotel, as access to the area remains limited.
Despite the fact that some hotels, such as his own, were not directly affected by the flames, Tzarakis expressed strong concern about the image that has been created.
“The great damage is not only to the infrastructure. It is the disrepute that the area will suffer. For a foreigner to see a burned landscape prevents him from coming,” he stressed.
He explained that the tourist season is already suffering a serious blow, as hotels need at least two weeks to return to full operation.
“We are talking about mid-July, the high season, when we expect to work full time. Reservations are at risk of freezing,” he underlined.
Tzarakis confirmed that since last night he has been in constant communication with partners and tour operators abroad, trying to reassure his partners about the situation. He said that, although his hotel unit did not have to be evacuated, large chains such as Robinson proceeded with an evacuation following an order from their managements abroad.
He announced that his unit has meals available for firefighters operating in the area and invites all fire and police personnel to visit the hotel for a meal and some rest.
“We don’t have any free rooms for accommodation available, but it’s the least we can do to thank the people who came to help,” he said, emphasizing the need for unity and solidarity in these difficult times.
Many scattered blazes on Thursday – Evacuation order
Firefighting forces are still battling many scattered blazes in the region of Ierapetra on Thursday, Fire Service spokesperson, Fire Colonel Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said.
Firefighting forces in the area are strong, over 240 people, and have been reinforced from Attica, he noted, but conditions are difficult.
Wind blowing with 7 to 8 Beaufort with gusts in the area can reach up to 9 Beaufort, continuously igniting new flames and hotspots, hampering the firefighting effort.
Vathrakogiannis reported that 230 firefighters are operating in the area, with 13 ground teams, 46 vehicles, and a drone unit. For the firefight the air, 10 helicopters have been deployed, one of which is coordinating the effort. Water tankers and heavy machinery from the Region of Crete and the Hellenic National Defence General Staff are also assisting in the effort. Additionally, Hellenic Police (ELAS) and the ambulance service (EKAV) forces have been deployed in the fire zone, along with mobilized Coast Guard units.
The spokesman added that an assessment of potential damage to infrastructure and homes will take place once firefighting efforts are complete.
At the same time, he said, the forest fire that broke out at midday on Wednesday in Vourvourou, Halkidiki, no longer has an active front, with firefighters conducting water saturation across its entire perimeter.
By order of the Fire Service Chief, Lieutenant General Theodoros Vagias, Arson Crime Investigation units have been deployed to both Halkidiki and Ierapetra to investigate the causes of the fires, Vathrakogiannis noted.
“ We are now in the third and most difficult month of the fire season. July has historically been the hottest month, often accompanied by strong winds. These conditions favor the spread of wildfires and increase their danger. We remind everyone that maintaining clean plots and open spaces on our properties significantly reduces the risk of fire,” he concluded.
According to local creta24.gr, short after 2 pm on Thursday, a new <112> emergency message ordered residents and visitors of Ferma, Katharades, Koutsounari and Kakia Skala to evacuate and move towards Ierapetra.