Beginning the night of July 2, a sweeping wildfire that was spread by strong winds continues to burn through the Greek island of Crete, triggering the evacuations of more than 1,500 people from hotels and homes.
According to the local fire department, 230 firefighters were on the ground battling the fire, backed up by 10 water-dropping aircraft. Some homes were reported damaged. Residents are urged not to return to their properties in the affected area.
Tourists and residents were evacuated safely, with some locals having been provided treatment for breathing difficulties. There were no reports of serious injuries. According to Greece’s civil protection authorities, several parts of Greece, including Crete and some regions in the south, remain at a very high risk of fire.
Throughout history, there have been many events that led to mass evacuations. The reasons for people leaving their homes and fleeing vary, but such extreme measures are usually deployed in the face of a natural disaster or a man-made event such as war. In this gallery, we take you on a journey through the most significant mass evacuations to have ever occurred. Click on and get to know all about them.