Wildfires on Greek island kill two and prompt evacuation

Two people have died and residents are being moved to safety after two fires broke out on the island of Salamina, just west of Athens. The blaze started around 2:40 pm local time and spread quickly thanks to strong winds.

Greek fire authorities report that near 200 firefighters are fighting the two fires, deploying 50 fire engines, aircraft and five patrol boats. Additional private vessels have also been called in to help.

Salamina’s deputy mayor Thodoris Zannis said the team is trying to keep the flames from merging over the island’s mountain ridge, which could create a single, large wildfire.

The island’s population of roughly 37,000 includes many elderly residents, heightening the urgency of the evacuation efforts.

These incidents come amid a Europe‑wide series of wildfires driven by recent high temperatures, underscoring the growing challenge of extreme weather events across the continent.