Greek lawmakers have voted to temporarily halt asylum requests from North African migrants arriving by sea, a decision criticized by rights groups as illegal. The move follows a surge in migrants reaching Crete and marks a tightening of Greece’s migration policies under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ government.

Firefighters struggled to gain control over a massive wildfire burning on the Greek island of Crete, as powerful winds fanned the flames.

Blazes are burning in countries including Spain, Greece and Turkey in the wake of record-setting temperatures across much of the continent.

Firefighters were battling a wildfire on the Greek island of Evia on Saturday which was burning forests and forced the evacuation of two villages, the fire brigade and authorities said.

Most of those fleeing the blaze were tourists. Firefighters struggled against heavy winds to bring the flames under control.

Greek authorities have transported more than 500 migrants to a port on the mainland in an effort to relieve strain on the island of Crete after a surge in arrivals from Libya

Crete is ready to welcome tourists as normal following last week’s wildfire, which prompted the evacuation of around 1,500 visitors and residents, authorities have insisted.

Nikos Xylouris, nicknamed Psaronikos, (July 7, 1936- February 8, 1980), was a singer and an icon of Crete, Greece.