Two Dead and Hundreds Evacuated Following Wildfires on Greek Island of Salamis

Two people, reported to be an elderly couple, died on Sunday after two separate wildfires broke out on the Greek island of Salamis near Athens. The fires started within 20 minutes of each other in the south and east of the island, specifically in the Peristeria and Selinia beach areas. Strong winds reaching up to 61 kilometers per hour caused the flames to spread rapidly, leading to the evacuation of over 570 people by sea using coast guard patrol boats and other vessels. Nine people required medical care for burns or smoke inhalation, with five of them transported to hospitals.

Emergency services deployed approximately 260 firefighters, nearly 60 engines, 10 aircraft, and seven helicopters to combat the blazes. Firefighters worked to prevent the two separate fires from linking up to form one larger blaze. While the fire in Selinia was reported extinguished by the evening, scattered pockets of fire remained in Peristeria. Several homes were destroyed by the flames.

These events occur amid a broader pattern of wildfires across Greece and Europe. A separate blaze on the island of Skyros, which burned some 1,300 hectares of forest, was brought under control. Other recent incidents in Greece include fires on Paros island and a mid air collision between two firefighting helicopters earlier this month that killed a Danish pilot. Reports also indicate active wildfires in Belgium, France, Germany, Croatia, Spain, and Serbia. In Croatia, authorities detained four people on suspicion of intentionally starting fires in the Zadar region.