Fisherman Rescues 30 Amidst Wildfire and Hurricane-Force Winds in Crete

In the face of a raging wildfire and hurricane-force winds reaching 160 km/h, a young fisherman from Agia Galini, Rethymno, demonstrated extraordinary courage by rescuing approximately 30 people stranded on a beach.

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We did our duty too... I was called by the Port Authority around 4 in the afternoon to be on standby. They asked for my help and I gave it generously. I went with my fishing boat, the 'Agios Spyridon'.

Nikos Matthaiakis, responding to a call from the Port Authority, navigated his fishing boat, the 'Agios Spyridon,' into the perilous conditions at Agios Pavlos. He described the scene as nightmarish, with flames engulfing a nearby tavern and tourist accommodations, and explosions from gas canisters adding to the terror. The rough sea further complicated rescue efforts.

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It was suffocating from fire and smoke, but the winds were a hurricane. Imagine, they recorded gusts up to 160 kilometers per hour.

"It was suffocating from fire and smoke, but the winds were a hurricane," Matthaiakis recounted. "Imagine, they recorded gusts up to 160 kilometers per hour." Knowing the area well, he managed to approach the shore despite the extreme weather and the danger posed by the fire, bringing a coast guard officer with him.

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People were trapped at the corner of Agios Pavlos. Above, the tavern and accommodations were burning. Some bottles also exploded. We heard the 'bangs'. I approached with the small boat. I know the area well. I approached with great difficulty. Not easy at all.

Due to the small size of his vessel, Matthaiakis had to make multiple trips to ferry the stranded individuals, including elderly people who had difficulty boarding. The rescue concluded through the combined efforts of Matthaiakis and the Hellenic Coast Guard, whose boats, including a RHIB and a patrol vessel, completed the safe transfer of the civilians. The fisherman stated, "I've been a fisherman since I was born... My father was also a fisherman. We have experienced fires."

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There were about 30 people gathered there. There were also some elderly people. They couldn't easily get on the boat. The storm was terrible. I took people three times because my boat is small.