Athens: Three firefighters have died in wildfires across Greece, with two fatalities occurring on the island of Crete and one in the Peloponnese region, local media reported on Wednesday.

According to Anadolu Agency, the two firefighters in Crete were discovered dead inside their vehicle in the Nea Krya Vrysi area of the Rethymno region, where they were apparently trapped by the flames. One was identified as a seasonal firefighter, while the other had served for five years at the Agia Fotini fire station. The local fire department expressed their condolences, stating, "Today is an extremely difficult day for the Fire Department."

The third firefighter was found unconscious outside the wildfire's perimeter in the Ageranos area of Gythio in the Peloponnese. He was transported by ambulance to the nearest hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

The situation in southern Crete remains dire, with approximately 51 individuals evacuated after attempting to flee the blaze by sea. Authorities have noted that evacuation efforts have been significantly hampered by gale-force winds, rated at eight on the Beaufort scale, which continue to prevail in the area.

In addition to the wildfires in Crete and the Peloponnese, firefighters are contending with another prolonged wildfire on the island of Paros in the Aegean Sea's Cyclades. Civil Protection authorities have issued a new 112 alert for several villages due to the ongoing threat posed by the Paros wildfire.