Is Crete safe to travel to right now? Everything to know about your holidays and flights amid huge wildfires

CRETE is the latest destination to be struck by wildfires and with it being a holiday hotspot for Brits, lots are asking – is it still safe to travel to? Here’s everything you need to know right now about travelling to the Greek island. Can you still go to Crete on holiday? Here’s everything you need to know Credit: Reuters Firefighters have been battling wildfires in Crete since the beginning of this week Credit: Reuters Where are the wildfires in Crete? The majority of the wildfires in Crete are on the south of the island. On Wednesday, a large fire broke out in the south of the Rethymno regional unit where around 8,000 people have been evacuated. Sign up for the Travel newsletter Thank you! A large fire is being tackled near the villages of Krya Vrysi, Orne and the coastal resort of Agia Galini. Hotels in Rethymno have been placed on high alert. It’s believed the fire that has been exacerbated by 125km per hour winds has destroyed a number of homes in the area. According to the BBC, it’s one of the biggest active fires on the island, with its front exceeding 9.3miles. Hundreds of residents and tourists were evacuated from Krya Vrysi on Wednesday. Hundreds of firefighters have been deployed to battle the blaze, and two sadly died on Wednesday during high winds in Crete. Most read in Travel Forecasters warn fire-prone conditions will spread towards the centre of Europe this week, with Greece among one of the places most affected. Is it safe to travel to Crete right now? The travel advice for Greece remains unchanged. One of the current fires is near Agia Galini, a coastal resort (stock picture) Credit: Alamy Stock Photo But there are warnings on being prepared for wildfires which are “high risk” between April and October. The advice from GOV.UK reads: “Ensure that your mobile phone is registered to receive emergency alerts to be warned of wildfires near your location. “Wildfires are highly dangerous and unpredictable. The situation can change quickly. “To avoid starting wildfires: leave no litter, especially not glass which is known to start fires make sure cigarettes are properly extinguished do not light barbecues “Causing a wildfire or a forest fire is a criminal offence in Greece – even if unintentional. If you see a fire, call the emergency services on 112. “Be cautious if you are in or near an area affected by wildfires: follow @112Greece for official updates follow the guidance of the emergency services call the Greek emergency services on 112 if you are in immediate danger contact your airline or travel operator who can assist you with return travel to the UK” Are flights still going to Crete? Flights to Crete remain unaffected. If you are due to fly in and have concerns, it may be worth contacting your airline to check if they are operating normally. What if I have a holiday to Crete booked? As the Foreign Office has not warned against travel to Greece, there are no special circumstances in place for holidaymakers to cancel their trip and receive a full refund. Depending on what travel insurance you have, your policy might include natural disaster cover. If so, your insurance policy should cover you for when you are unable to reach your holiday destination due to natural disasters, like wildfires. So it is worth checking your travel insurance policy. Can I cancel my trip? If you do choose to cancel your trip, it is best to contact your airline or holiday provider. There is no obligation for companies to refund bookings unless government advice changes. Comment now