Hundreds escape Greek wildfire by sea as blazes continue across Europe - BBC News

Around 500 people, mostly tourists, are evacuated by boat from Agios Vasileios after becoming trapped.

Image source, Greek fire serviceByAleks PhillipsPublished31 July 2026Hundreds of people in central Greece are being evacuated by sea from a coastal town hemmed in by one of the many wildfires raging across the country.

Around 500 people, mostly tourists, were left stranded after the fire broke out near Agios Vasileios in Viotia on Friday and rapidly spread on strong winds, local media report.

Another fire has broken out further along the coast, while firefighters continue to battle a large wildfire on the Greek island of Crete that ignited earlier this week.

Greece is one of several European nations suffering devastating wildfires after a succession of heatwaves created favourable conditions for them.

Firefighters in Portugal and Spain are still tackling blazes spanning thousands of hectares, with a new heatwave this week raising the risk of a massive fire near Madrid reigniting.