Tourists have been urgently evacuated from the Greek island of Crete following wildfires.

The mass move out of hotels and homes resulted in 1,500 people leaving one of Greece's most popular tourist destinations, with the number expected to increase as the fires continue to rage on.

Powerful winds whipped out the blaze in the mountains between the villages of Ferma, Achila and Agia Fota, late Tuesday.

Authorities said evacuations were ordered in three of the island's southern coastal regions as the blaze raged out of control overnight on Wednesday.

Tourists have been urgently evacuated from the Greek island of Crete following wildfires

Boats and vessels have rescued people stranded on the beach.

It is estimated that 230 firefighters were operating in the region overnight in an attempt to control the inferno.

Reinforcements, to supplement the water-dropping aircraft in operation, were dispatched from Greece's capital of Athens.

Nektarios Papadakis, a civil protection official at the regional authority, said: "It's a very difficult situation. The fire is very hard to contain. Right now, they cannot contain it."

Powerful winds whipped out the blaze in the mountains between the villages of Ferma, Achila and Agia Fota, late Tuesday

Papadakis said that the displaced tourists and residents have been offered temporary shelter during the ongoing emergency.

The official said: "The tourists who were moved out are all okay. They have been taken to an indoor basketball arena and hotels in other regions of the island."

Yiannis Androulakis, the deputy governor of Lasithi, told broadcaster ERT this morning that "Winds are still very strong and the fire is intense."

He added: "Overnight, with aerial support grounded, all our efforts were focused on saving as many homes as possible."

Authorities said evacuations were ordered in three of the island's southern coastal regions as the blaze raged out of control overnight on Wednesday

Firefighters and rescue workers told Greek outlet Protothema the blaze is hard to manage due to strong winds.

One said: "It's constantly swirling, constantly changing direction, and unfortunately the fire is shifting. It's tragic!"

Soaring temperatures in Mediterranean holiday destinations have hit highs of well above 40C.

The ongoing heatwave has also triggered another fire in a farming area in Catalonia on Tuesday afternoon, which claimed the lives of two people.

No casualties or serious injuries have been reported, though several residents and tourists are being treated for respiratory issues.