Two Dead, Dozens Evacuated as Wildfires Rage on Greek Island of Salamina

At least two people have died and dozens more have been evacuated after two wildfires broke out within minutes of each other on the Greek island of Salamina, near Athens, on Sunday. Greek fire officials said nearly 200 firefighters were battling the blazes, which spread rapidly due to high winds and a high wildfire risk alert for the region.

The first fire was reported at 2:40 p.m. local time (12:40 GMT) and quickly grew out of control. A second blaze followed shortly after, raising fears that the two fronts could merge into a single massive fire. Salamina Deputy Mayor Thodoris Zannis told Greek media that firefighters were working to prevent the flames from crossing a mountain on the island and converging.

A coastguard spokesman told state broadcaster ERT that approximately 90 people had been evacuated by sea so far. Five patrol boats were dispatched to the area, and several private vessels were made available to assist in the rescue operation. The evacuees were transported to safer parts of the island or to the mainland.

Firefighting resources deployed to the scene included a number of aircraft and 50 fire engines. The aircraft were used to drop water on the advancing flames, while ground crews attempted to establish containment lines. Despite these efforts, the fires continued to pose a significant threat to residential areas.

Salamina, a small island located just west of Athens, is home to about 37,000 residents, many of whom are elderly. The island has a history of wildfires during the dry summer months, but Sunday's blazes were described by local officials as particularly dangerous because of the strong winds and the proximity of the fires to populated areas.

Greek authorities have issued repeated warnings about the heightened risk of wildfires during heatwaves, which have become more frequent and intense in recent years due to climate change. Across Europe, firefighters are dealing with a series of blazes this weekend, fuelled by unusually high temperatures. In Greece, the fire service remains on high alert, and officials have urged residents in affected areas to cooperate with evacuation orders.

The deaths were confirmed by fire officials, though further details about the victims were not immediately released. Investigations into the cause of the fires are expected to begin once the immediate danger has been contained. Meanwhile, residents stranded on parts of the island have been advised to remain indoors and follow instructions from emergency services.

This incident highlights the growing challenges facing Mediterranean countries as they grapple with the effects of rising temperatures and prolonged dry spells. Local authorities are calling for better forest management and more investment in firefighting infrastructure to reduce the impact of such disasters in the future.