- Two fires broke out in Peristeria and near Selinia, two popular beaches in the island's south and east, within 20 minutes of each other, according to fire department communications director Vassilis Vathrakogiannis.
- With the wind reaching up to 61 kilometres (38 miles) per hour, the fire spread rapidly in seven minutes, he said.
- Over 570 people were evacuated on coast guard patrol boats and other vessels, a coastguard spokeswoman told AFP.
- Nine people required medical care for burns, state agency ANA said.
- The fire service mobilised a large force of some 260 firefighters, nearly 60 engines, 10 aircraft and seven helicopters, rushing in reinforcements from the mainland.
- Thirty-six blazes have broken out over the past 24 hours around the country, according to the fire department.
Two people died and hundreds were evacuated as wildfires erupted on the Greek island of Salamis, with the fire department reporting that two separate fires broke out in Peristeria and near Selinia within 20 minutes.
Over 570 people were evacuated by coast guard patrol boats, but unfortunately, an elderly couple perished before help arrived.3
The fire spread rapidly due to winds reaching 61 kilometres (38 miles) per hour, prompting a large mobilization of 260 firefighters, 60 engines, 10 aircraft, and 7 helicopters.2
In total, 36 blazes ignited across Greece in the last 24 hours, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Meanwhile, in Belgium, a massive wildfire scorched about 30 sq km in the High Fens nature reserve, marking one of the worst wildfires in the country’s history.
Approximately 600 residents were evacuated as winds shifted smoke through nearby municipalities.
Over 250 emergency personnel were deployed, including Belgian and German firefighters, police, and military officers.
The blaze in Belgium has surpassed a previous record from 2011, prompting the activation of the European Union's civil protection mechanism for assistance, with Sweden and the Netherlands sending firefighting resources.
“The fires broke out within 20 minutes of each other at Peristeria and Selinia, with winds up to 61 km/h causing rapid spread. Over 570 people were evacuated by coast guard vessels, and nine required medical care for burns.”
AsiaOne
