In brief
Salamina island was hit by twin blazes within minutes, leaving two fatalities and triggering mass evacuations of civilians. Nearly 200 firefighters and dozens of aircraft fought the flames, while fleets of patrol and private boats assisted. Local officials warned that high winds could merge the two fires into a larger conflagration, endangering the island’s 37,000 residents, many elderly. The incident comes amid a broader wave of European wildfires fueled by extreme heat this week.
Two people have died and an evacuation is underway after twin fires erupted on the Greek island of Salamina, located just west of Athens. The blaze, reported at 14:40 local time, spread rapidly due to high winds, an element that flew many residents to safety through the sea.
Nearly 200 firefighters and fifty fire engines were dispatched to tackle the flames, with aircraft providing aerial support. Five coastguard patrol boats and several private vessels are also enlisting in the rescue effort. Local officials warned that the two separate fires could merge into a single, larger blaze if precautions were not maintained.
Salamina, home to roughly 37,000 people, many of whom are elderly, has been placed on high wildfire risk for this weekend. The incident comes amid a broader wave of European wildfires that have been stoked by intense heat and wind conditions across the continent.
