A major fire on the island of Salamina, about 5 kilometers west of Athens, has so far caused two deaths and four injuries. The flames spread quickly, while residents faced difficult routes out of the area and evacuation alerts.
The flames spread within minutes
According to initial information, the fire started at around 3:45 p.m. local time in the area known as Selinia. Within minutes, the flames spread across a wider area, making the situation critical for residents and crews on the ground.
The current toll stands at two dead and four injured, while the data remain preliminary. The full circumstances of the incident have not yet been publicly clarified.
Panic evacuations and limited roads
According to reports from the area, residents are fleeing in panic, as movement in this part of the island is difficult and roads are few. This has added to the uncertainty at a moment when the flames were approaching rapidly.
Civil protection urged residents to leave, while the authorities’ response focused on evacuation and containing the spread of the fire.
Aircraft and helicopters also deployed in the operation
Large forces have been deployed to confront the blaze, supported by firefighting planes and helicopters, as well as army vehicles. According to the official version, the intervention has also been intensified because the country’s largest naval base is located in the area.
The area affected by the fire is a pine forest, while several homes are also reported to have been caught in the flames.
Police are working to identify the victims
Greek police said they are working to identify the two victims. According to the authorities, they are two men between the ages of 45 and 60.
At this stage, institutions have not provided further details about their identities or the circumstances in which they lost their lives.
The incident in Salamina comes at a time when fires in forested areas and near residential blocks continue to expose weaknesses in the emergency response, especially where evacuation infrastructure is limited.
The extent of the damage and the full causes of the fire remain unclear.