The images illustrate the severity of the conditions. Thick smoke blanketed the area, reducing visibility to the point where it was often impossible to distinguish the shoreline from the sea.

Despite the extreme conditions, Vasilis Vogiatzis, his son Giannis Vogiatzis, and Tasos Tsanas—all highly experienced mariners—arrived in southern Rethymno at around 2:00 p.m. and remained on duty for more than nine consecutive hours, carrying out multiple rescue missions.

Working in coordination with the Hellenic Coast Guard, they used inflatable boats to reach beaches where people had become stranded. After bringing those at risk aboard, they transferred them to Coast Guard vessels, which were unable to approach certain sections of the coastline because of the difficult terrain and severe weather conditions.

The three volunteers completed eight separate rescue missions, safely evacuating more than 80 people, including tourists, local business owners and volunteers who had been assisting firefighters.

Operating mainly from the Plakias area, they continuously patrolled the coastline around Preveli, searching for people who had fled to the beaches to escape the advancing flames. Each time they located stranded individuals, they transported them by inflatable boat to waiting Coast Guard vessels.

The operation was one of the most challenging rescue efforts carried out during the large wildfire in southern Rethymno.

Meanwhile, the nearby Preveli Monastery, located close to the fire front, escaped damage thanks to the determined efforts of firefighters and emergency crews working in the area.

However, a significant section of the Preveli palm forest, one of Crete’s most important natural landmarks, was destroyed by the fire. The full extent of the damage has yet to be assessed, as authorities continue efforts to bring the wildfire under control.