Greek Island Vanished in Two Fires: Two Dead, Evacuation in Progress

Sun Sep 06 2026 01:39:48 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Fatal blaze on Salamina island near Athens leaves two dead amid massive evacuation as firefighters battle wind‑driven fires.

Two people lost their lives when twin fires erupted almost simultaneously on Greece’s Salamina island, sparking a swift evacuation. Nearly 200 firefighters responded to extinguish flames that threatened to merge into a single blaze, while 90 residents were ferried to safety by coastguard vessels. The island, home to about 37,000 residents, faced high wildfire risk on Sunday amid strong winds. An extensive emergency response included aircraft, 50 fire engines, patrol boats, and private vessels. Despite aggressive containment efforts, the incident underscores growing wildfire threats across Europe this summer.

Greek Island Vanished in Two Fires: Two Dead, Evacuation in Progress

Two people have died and an evacuation is underway after twin flames erupted within minutes on Greece’s Salamina island near Athens.

Nearly 200 firefighters converged on the coast to contain the blaze and prevent the fires from merging, according to local officials. The first fire was reported at 14:40 local time (12:40 GMT) and intensified rapidly under high‑speed winds.

Coastguard spokespersons say about 90 residents have been evacuated by sea, with five patrol boats and several private vessels dispatched to aid the operation. Multiple aircraft and fifty fire engines have been mobilised to support the effort.

Salamina deputy mayor Thodoris Zannis warned that firefighters were working to keep the flames from the island’s eastern mountain ridge, where they could fuse into a larger wildfire.

The island lies just west of Athens and hosts roughly 37,000 residents, many of whom are elderly. Across Europe, the weekend saw several wildfires fueled by intense heat, underscoring the urgent need for preparedness and rapid response.