Large fire in Crete brought under partial control

A large fire that began in the early hours of Saturday in Hania, Crete, was brought under partial control on Sunday by a large force of firefighters who battled the blaze through the night.

The fire in Amygdalokefali on the outskirts of the port town of Kissamos on the island’s northwestern coast has, according to preliminary estimates, razed some 300 hectares of land, 100 hectares of which contained olive groves.

Two sheds that had been abandoned were also consumed by the flames, which were stoked by strong winds and high temperatures.

Firefighters continued efforts to fully extinguish the blaze on Sunday afternoon amid concerns that continued gales may stoke the flames afresh.