Greek Island Salamina Suffers Twin Wildfires, Two Dead, Hundreds Evacuated

Sun Sep 06 2026 03:48:15 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Twin wildfires on Salamina island near Athens claim two lives and force evacuation of hundreds amid high winds, as 200 firefighters battle to contain the blazes.

On Sunday afternoon, twin blazes erupted almost simultaneously on Greece’s Salamina island, killing two residents and forcing the evacuation of roughly 500 people by sea. High winds helped the fires spread rapidly, prompting the deployment of around 200 firefighters, 50 water tanker trucks, and construction machinery. While one fire was brought under control by evening, the other turned into a diffuse heat source, requiring continued suppression efforts and ongoing surveillance by coast guard and fire department vessels. The incidents are part of a continent‑wide surge in wildfires, highlighted by recent outbreaks in Belgium and Croatia.

Twin Wildfires Devastate Salamina Island, Two Lives Lost and Hundreds Evacuated

High‑wind conditions on Sunday afternoon set two separate blazes ablaze on Greece’s Salamina island, just west of Athens. The fires were reported at 14:40 and 15:00 local time and spread over residential and forested areas, leading to the tragic deaths of two people, who authorities believe were a couple, and the evacuation of about 500 residents by sea.

Response Efforts and Evacuations

The Greek authorities mobilised roughly 200 firefighters, 50 water‑tanker trucks, and construction machinery to battle the flames. Coastal and fire‑department vessels were positioned to provide surveillance and assistance. Five patrol boats and several private vessels joined the operations, while the island’s Deputy Mayor, Thodoris Zannis, emphasised the importance of preventing the fires from merging into a single front that could threaten mountainous terrain.

Health Impact

Ten individuals suffered burns or smoke‑inhalation symptoms; five were transported to local treatment facilities. The Health Minister, Adonis Georgiades, posted updates on X, confirming the health emergency triggered by the flames.

Broader Context: Wildfires Across Europe

Salamina’s ordeal is one of several intense wildfire events this weekend. Belgian firefighters have been fighting a growing blaze in the Hautes Fagnes nature reserve for a third day, while a separate wildfire on Croatia’s coastline has caused dozens of injuries and forced the evacuation of about 1,200 residents and tourists. The EU’s climate monitoring service, Copernicus, reports that the western part of Europe experienced its hottest June‑July period on record, underscoring the heightened risk of fires.

What’s Next?

Authorities continue to monitor the area with coast guard and fire‑department vessels, while the Greek fire service assesses the potential threat of the remaining heat source. Residents are advised to remain vigilant as the wind conditions remain unpredictable. International support from nearby water‑tanker and firefighting units may be available as the situation evolves.