Twin Salamina Wildfires Kill 2 and Evacuate 500 by Sea Near Athens
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Aug 16
Twin Salamina Wildfires Kill 2 and Evacuate 500 by Sea Near Athens
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Aug 16
Summary
500 people were evacuated by sea from Salamina by Sunday evening after two fires erupted about 20 minutes apart, with one blaze brought under control and the other left with no active front.
High winds drove the rapid spread from Peristeria on the south coast and Selinia in the east, prompting about 200 firefighters, 50 engines and aircraft to stop the fires merging over the island's mountain.
Two bodies were found in the Peristeria fire zone and at least 10 others suffered burns or smoke inhalation, with five treated locally, Greek officials said.
Salamina, an island of about 37,000 west of Athens, remained under surveillance by coast guard and fire vessels as authorities kept scattered blazes in check.
The deaths add to a wider European wildfire surge after Belgium's High Fens blaze hit a record 3,000 hectares and Copernicus confirmed western Europe's hottest June-to-July period on record.