Two dead, hundreds evacuated from fires on island near Athens
ATHENS, Greece (AFP) — Two people died and hundreds of weekend bathers were hurriedly evacuated Sunday after two fires broke out on the Greek island of Salamis near Athens in less than half an hour, the fire department said.While another fire on the Aegean island of Skyros was brought under control, a fire department spokesman told AFP that “two bodies were recovered” from the Peristeria beach area in the south of Salamis.“Over 570 people were evacuated on coast guard patrol boats and other vessels,” a coastguard spokeswoman told AFP.Fire department communications director Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said the separate fires had broken out in Peristeria and near Selinia, two popular beaches in the island’s south and east, within 20 minutes of each other.With hundreds enjoying a sunny Sunday at the beach a short boat ride from Athens, the civil protection ministry issued four evacuation orders in quick succession.The Greek blazes come as…
Two people died and hundreds were evacuated on Sunday after two fires broke out on the Greek island of Salamis, near Athens, within 20 minutes of each other. The fires occurred in the Peristeria and Selinia beach areas, prompting the civil protection ministry to issue four evacuation orders. Over 570 people were evacuated by coast guard and other vessels. The two fatalities, reportedly an elderly couple, died before firefighters could reach them, as strong winds reaching 61 kilometers per hour caused the fire to "spread rapidly in seven minutes." Nine people received medical care for burns, and several homes were destroyed. A large force of 260 firefighters, nearly 60 engines, 10 aircraft, and seven helicopters were deployed. While the Selinia blaze was extinguished by evening, scattered pockets of fire remained at Peristeria. Greece has experienced multiple wildfires since late July, fueled by strong winds and dry conditions.
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