A handful of major wildfires were still blazing around southern Greece as night fell on Friday evening, with the worst front near the village of Melabes, in Rethymno prefecture, on the large island of Crete.

Authorities order the evacuation of the rugged region, especially in light of very gusty winds.

A very large contingent of fire-fighter, equipped with fire engine and aided by water-dropping aircraft had battled the wildfire during the day.

Earlier, a wildfire burned through brushland at the coastal Anavissos resort, southeast of Athens proper