Overview
- Two separate wildfires erupted on Salamina within about 20 minutes on Sunday, Aug. 16, racing through the Peristeria and Selinia areas under strong winds.
- Fire crews found two bodies in Peristeria that officials say were an elderly couple, and at least 9–10 people were treated for burns or smoke inhalation.
- Coastguard and private vessels evacuated roughly 500–570 beachgoers and residents by sea as firefighters and police moved others to safety.
- Authorities deployed about 200–260 firefighters supported by dozens of engines, around 10 aircraft and multiple helicopters, and by evening one fire was largely contained with scattered hotspots remaining.
- The cause of the twin blazes remains under investigation and officials warn that heatwaves, drought and strong winds have left vegetation tinder‑dry and stretched Greece’s firefighting resources this summer.