Severe storms force evacuations in Crete as floodwaters strand hikers

Severe storms have struck the Greek island of Crete, forcing evacuations as floodwaters swept through the Samaria Gorge, one of the island's most visited tourist attractions, according to Anadolu Agency.

Eight workers remain stranded inside the gorge in western Crete after the trail was covered by floodwaters, the report said. The Samaria Gorge draws large numbers of hikers each year and is known as one of the longest gorges in Europe, with a narrow trail that runs between steep rock walls.

Authorities have not yet detailed the exact condition of those stranded or the timeline for their rescue. Flash flooding in narrow gorges can be particularly dangerous because rising water can fill the trail quickly, cutting off escape routes before hikers or workers are able to reach higher ground.

Crete, like other parts of Greece and the wider Mediterranean, has experienced increasingly intense and sudden rainstorms in recent years, which have at times overwhelmed drainage systems and led to flash flooding in low-lying and canyon areas. Local authorities typically close popular hiking routes such as the Samaria Gorge during periods of heavy rain or storm warnings as a precaution.

Further details on rescue operations, the condition of those affected, and the broader impact of the storms on the island were not immediately available.