Twin wildfires claim two lives on Greek island as authorities battle convergence
Two fatalities and over 500 evacuations reported as simultaneous blazes threaten residential and forested areas near Athens; cause remains undetermined.
Two people have died and more than 500 residents have been evacuated following twin wildfires that erupted almost simultaneously on the Greek island of Salamina, located just west of Athens. The incident, which occurred on Sunday afternoon, has triggered a significant emergency response operation as authorities work to prevent the two separate blazes from merging into a single, larger fire front.
The first fire was reported at 14:40 local time near the south coast in Peristeria, a mixed residential and forested area. According to fire official Vasilios Vathrakoyannis, firefighters attending the scene discovered two bodies. Approximately 20 minutes later, a second fire ignited in the eastern town of Selinia. High winds have been identified as a primary factor in the rapid spread of both fires, complicating containment efforts on the island, which was under a high wildfire risk warning on the day of the incident.
Deputy Mayor Thodoris Zannis stated that the primary strategic objective for the deployed resources is to prevent the fires from burning over a mountain on the island and converging. To support this effort, approximately 200 firefighters have been deployed alongside 50 fire engines, aircraft, and construction machinery utilised for water transport and terrain management. The evacuation of more than 500 people has been conducted primarily by sea, with five patrol boats and several private vessels assisting in the relocation of residents.
Health Minister Adonis Georgiades confirmed that at least 10 individuals have suffered burns or exhibited symptoms of smoke inhalation. Of those affected, five have been taken for local treatment. The cause of the fires remains unknown, with investigations ongoing. Salamina has a population of approximately 37,000, a demographic that includes a significant proportion of elderly residents, adding complexity to the evacuation logistics.
The crisis on Salamina occurs against a backdrop of widespread wildfire activity across Europe. Firefighters in Belgium are currently battling a blaze in the Hautes Fagnes nature reserve, described as the largest in the country's recent history, while a separate fire in Croatia resulted in at least one death and the evacuation of around 1,200 people earlier in the week.
