Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus Fire Brigade chief Nikos Longinos offered condolences to his Greek counterpart, Theodoros Vagias, after three Greek firefighters died while tackling wildfires on Crete.
Longinos said Cyprus stands in solidarity with the Greek state, the Greek Fire Brigade and the families of the firefighters who died in the line of duty.
Condolences from Cyprus
According to Cyprus Fire Brigade spokesperson Andreas Kettis, Longinos expressed, on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus, the Cyprus Fire Brigade and himself, “sincere and deepest condolences” to Vagias, the Greek Fire Brigade family and the relatives of the three firefighters.
He described their sacrifice as an act of bravery, dedication and selflessness in protecting human life, property and the natural environment.
“Their loss plunges the entire international firefighting family into grief,” Longinos said.
He also wished strength and courage to the relatives of the deceased firefighters and all members of the Greek Fire Brigade.
Wildfire response in Crete
High temperatures and gale-force winds fuelled fires across Crete during the early part of the week.
Mairi Lioni, deputy governor of the Rethymno regional unit, described the previous night as a “nightmare” in comments to Greek public broadcaster ERT.
She said 8,000 people were evacuated in the regional unit, which covers western central Crete. Crete civil protection deputy governor Giorgos Tsapakos said more than 200 firefighters worked through the night to contain the blaze.
Strong winds hinder aircraft
Winds exceeding 70 miles per hour prevented firefighting aircraft from taking off, complicating operations.
Tsapakos said authorities hoped winds would ease so aerial resources could operate at first light and assist where needed. He said there were many active fire fronts and that the strong winds had not subsided.
Some areas in the south of the Rethymno regional unit were also left without electricity.
Greek Climate Crisis Minister Evangelos Tournas said earlier that the loss of life “fills us with deep sadness”.