Two people have died in fast-moving wildfires spreading across a popular Greek island, as residents prepare to evacuate.
The two victims, believed to be a couple, were killed as the blaze swept through Salamina, west of Athens, on Sunday, the biggest holiday weekend of the summer.
The bodies of the two killed were recovered in the village of Peristeria, where strong winds fuelled the spreading blaze.
Two wildfires have broken out in the Peristeria area and the Selina area, with homes under threat. Across Europe, successive heatwaves have intensified drought, strained water supplies and left vegetation tinder-dry, helping wildfires in Spain, France and Greece scorch near unprecedented amounts of land.
An operation is underway to evacuate people from the areas of Kolones and Saterli, the fire department said.
Salamina major 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.”
Speaking to Greek broadcaster ERT, Thodoris Zannis, deputy mayor of Salamina, said: “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.”
“These conditions enabled the fire to quickly reach dangerous proportions and spread rapidly within seven minutes toward nearby residential areas,” said Fire Brigadier General Vasileios Vathrakogiannis
This weekend is a popular holiday in Greece, and many people from Athens head to nearby islands, such as Salamina, from the capital’s main port of Piraeus.
According to local reports, five people have been taken to a local health clinic.
About 192 firefighters, 14 aircraft and helicopters, volunteer crews and municipal water tankers deployed to contain the blazes. Authorities said strong winds were making the flames spread rapidly.
Coast guard and firefighting vessels were sent to the island, with preparations made for possible sea evacuations from threatened coastal areas.
Responding to news of the deaths, Hadja Lahbib, European commissioner for crisis management, said: “The fire season has claimed another two victims, this time on the island of Salamina in Greece. My thoughts are with the families of the victims, and with the first responders fighting fires across Europe.”