Hundreds of residents were evacuated to the mainland while thick plumes of smoke cover the second largest island by extension.

The local governor Giorgos Kela described the situation as ‘critical’, and warned that the resources to deal with it were insufficient.

About 200 firefighters from Ukraine and Romania are working together with 450 local ones to control the flames.

Eleven planes and several helicopters are assisting the rescue tasks, which are made complex due to the thick smoke and limited visibility, according to images from local television stations and statements by the Hellenic Deputy Minister of Civil Protection, Nikos Hardalias.

The Greek authorities estimate 65 thousand hectares affected by the fire, recognized as the greatest ecological catastrophe that affected the country.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis declared days ago on national television that several days of intense heat transformed the entire country into a powder keg.

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