'Gloomy day': Thousands evacuated from resort on Crete

Thousands of people were evacuated from a tourist resort on the Greek island of Crete late Wednesday as wildfires raged, threatening the popular vacation destination. The fires continued to burn on Thursday, fanned by strong winds, according to local officials.

The evacuation order came as flames approached the resort area, prompting a swift response from authorities to ensure the safety of residents and tourists. Emergency services worked through the night to move people to safer locations.

While the immediate threat to the resort was addressed through evacuation, the fires remained active on Thursday. The strong winds present a significant challenge, potentially spreading the flames further and making containment efforts more difficult for firefighters.

Officials are closely monitoring the situation, providing updates on the fire's progression and the ongoing evacuation efforts. The focus remains on protecting lives and property while battling the challenging conditions created by the wildfires and adverse weather.