The wildfire flames have spread rapidly across Crete, reaching homes as well as hotels and other tourist accommodations.

Firefighters are battling wildfires in Greece and Turkey, forcing thousands to evacuate. On Thursday, a blaze near the island of Crete led to over 5,000 people fleeing resorts, with some rescued from the sea.

Firefighters raced Thursday to contain wildfires that forced thousands to flee holiday resorts on the southern Greek island of Crete, while neighboring Turkey grappled with its own deadly blazes that claimed at least one life.