Two firefighters die during a wildfire on Greece’s southern island of Crete, according to reports. The fire is driven and intensified by strong winds, which authorities say are hampering firefighting efforts and contributing to the blaze’s rapid spread. Greek officials order evacuations of several villages as gale-force winds push the flames across the island. Reports describe the wildfire as involving multiple outbreaks that later merge into a larger fire area, with extreme heat also affecting parts of southern Europe. One report says the two firefighters die after becoming trapped while battling the blaze near Rethymno. The incidents occur as emergency services continue responding to the fire and attempt to contain it under difficult weather conditions. Local authorities continue firefighting operations as the situation develops, while evacuation measures remain in place for affected areas.