Heatwave fires LIVE: Tourist hotspots including Crete and Turkey suffer apocalyptic blazes

Firefighters continue to tackle the large blaze that has now engulfed around 6km (3.7 miles) of southeastern Crete. The large size of the front is making it difficult for crews to contain.

Strong winds have fanned the flames, with the BBC reporting multiple destroyed homes and rental properties in Agia Fotia. This settlement is in the area around the city of Ierapetra, where many evacuated residents and tourists are now sheltering from the growing fire.

Greek broadcaster ERT has reported that firefighters are being ordered to retreat from the frontline in order to create fire breaks around key settlements in Crete.

Thousands of people have fled the flames in Crete, where over 150 firefighters are struggling to contain a massive wildfire.

Around 3000 residents have been evacuated and put up in temporary shelters after at least four settlements were ordered to flee on Greece's biggest island.

"It is a very difficult fire and it is still in progress," an unnamed official has told Reuters.

Crews tackling the blaze are set to get reinforcements from the mainland. However, Greece's firefighters are facing a battle on multiple fronts, with wildfires also burning on the island of Kythira and in the northern region of Chalkidiki.

Firefighters in Anatolia, Turkey, are facing a worsening situation in the area around Izmir, where high winds on the Mediterranean coast are fanning the wildfire's flames.

Local resident Aley said on X: "Izmir is visibly turning to ashes, and for days there has been an unbelievable wind.

"The fires have reached residential areas and cannot be brought under control. What exactly are the fire brigades from other cities waiting for to go and help?"

Tourists were seen fleeing villas and holiday homes in eastern Crete after a wildfire broke out in the afternoon and spread rapidly.

Videos from the Greek island show the mayhem as holidaymakers attempt to get onto transport away from the growing fire.

Families with their suitcases can be seen getting into cars and buses while a raging fire lights up a hill in the background, which a local weather station described as "raging out of control" as the wildfire spread up to the shoreline near Ierapetra

Residents in Ierapetra, Crete, were forced to flee the island via boat after a wildfire broke out on Wednesday afternoon and began spreading rapidly.

Thick smoke blanketed the eastern portion of the island as the blaze grew, covering Makri Yialo beach. Local media reported homes destroyed and tourist hotels under threat as the incident continued into the night.

145 firefighters with helicopter support have been dispatched to bring the wildfire under control, with more support expected with teams being flown in from the Greek mainland.

As the wildfire in western Turkey rips through woodland, which is only fuelling the massive inferno, firefighters are battling through the night to bring the blaze under control.

According to local officials in Izmir, the fire broke out in a field and quickly spread to surrounding bushes and forests due to strong winds.

Responding to the fire, the Turkish state warned on X: "Causing a forest fire, which endangers the lives of living beings, all public personnel fighting the fire, and our citizens, steals the breath of millions, and is, from every perspective, a grave burden, is a serious crime with severe penalties."

Wildfires have been raging in western Turkey for four days now, with Izmir remaining the focal point for many of the blazes.

Images from the popular tourist areas show firefighters working in apocalyptic conditions, as teams work to slow the spread of the devastation, their way lit by the fires raging around them.

Across Europe this week, fires have devastated many countries along the Mediterranean, including Italy and Spain.