Two bodies have been found as firefighters continue to battle two wildfires on the Greek island of Salamina, a popular destination for British tourists. The fire service confirmed the discovery this afternoon, though the identities of the deceased have not yet been released.
Firefighting efforts and evacuations
According to The Mirror, the alarm was raised at 2.43pm today (August 16) as 146 firefighters and 10 aerial assets are tackling the blazes. One fire is in the Peristeria and Selinia areas, while the other is spreading toward the village of Kaki Vigla. Powerful winds are increasing the risk of the fire spreading rapidly.
The Hellenic Police has requested that two ferry boats be made available for evacuations by sea from an area between Peristeria and Kaki Vigla. Thodoris Zannis, deputy mayor of Salamina, told ERT: "I am on the other front of the fire in Salamina, we are trying to stop the fire.
"It has taken over the entire mountain and is spreading, but the firefighting forces are being reinforced. People had to leave because there was no way out, so the messages started early.
"I have been informed that for the other fire in Peristeria, the ferries have also gone to evacuate by sea. The fire broke out at the same time and that was the strange thing."
Hospitalizations and ongoing threats
Four people have been rushed from the Peristeria area to Salamina Hospital after suffering burns. An elderly man who was rescued from his home in Kaki Vigla was also taken to Salamina Hospital.
Mayor Giorgos Panagopoulos said: "The situation is difficult. There are two major fires, homes are under threat, and we have asked the police to bring us two ferry boats to Saterli Beach so that we can use them for people if we see that the situation becomes much more difficult."
Firefighters are also battling a wildfire for a second day on the Greek island of Skyros, but the mayor, Kyriakos Antonopoulos, hopes it will soon be brought under control.
