Heavy rains over the weekend caused severe flooding on the Greek island of Crete, trapping both locals and tourists and prompting emergency evacuations. Authorities reported that the town of Ierapetra, located on the island’s southeast coast, was particularly affected by the torrential downpours.

According to Manolis Frangoulis, mayor of Ierapetra, floodwaters swept vehicles and trees into the sea, creating hazardous conditions across the area. The intense rainfall led to road closures, with debris blocking key routes and isolating parts of the town. At one point, three tourists and their taxi driver were forced to abandon their car when floodwaters threatened to carry it away.

Local officials undertook evacuation efforts to ensure the safety of those stranded by the rising waters. Frangoulis noted that a few tourists were evacuated, and a woman was transported to a hospital as a precautionary measure after the flooding.

Emergency services continued to assess the situation as water levels began to recede, with crews working to clear blocked roads and restore access. The flooding underscored the vulnerability of low-lying coastal areas on the island to severe weather events.

No further injuries or fatalities have been reported as of the latest updates, but authorities remain on alert for potential aftereffects of the storm system affecting the region.