{
  "id": 1293517,
  "title": "Two dead, hundreds evacuated from fires on island near Athens",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/two-dead-hundreds-evacuated-from-fires-on-island-near-athens-1293517",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-16T15:03:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/world/world/2026/08/1512581/two-dead-hundreds-evacuated-fires-island-near-athens"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Two individuals lost their lives and hundreds of people were evacuated on the Greek island of Salamis near Athens on Sunday after two fires erupted almost simultaneously in two popular beaches. The fire department spokesman informed AFP that the bodies of the deceased were recovered from Peristeria beach in the south of the island. Hundreds of bathers and permanent residents had to be evacuated swiftly, and an evacuation order was issued by the service's deputy spokesman, Yiannis Artopios, as reported by state TV ERT. Four evacuation orders were issued in quick succession as the fires broke out in Peristeria and Selinia beaches. The civil protection ministry described the situation as challenging because the fires were occurring inside inhabited areas. Some roads remained open, and police forces were present to guide people to safety. Nine individuals received medical attention for burns, according to state agency ANA. Salamis, home to approximately 37,000 residents, many of them elderly, had the beaches crowded with people on Sunday. The fire department deployed a large force of around 200 firefighters, nearly 50 engines, six aircraft, and seven helicopters, with reinforcements being rushed in from the mainland. Greece's coastguard dispatched seven patrol boats to the area, and several private vessels, including ferries, were made available. So far, around 90 people have been evacuated by sea, reported coastguard spokesman Theofanis Balatsoukas. The operation is progressing smoothly, according to Balatsoukas. The fire department also had two vessels assisting in the operation.",
  "summary": "ATHENS: Two people died and hundreds were evacuated Sunday after two fires broke out on the Greek island of Salamis near Athens, the fire department said.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC World",
        "title": "Two dead and evacuation under way as fires break out on Greek island",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/two-dead-and-evacuation-under-way-as-fires-break-out-on-greek-island",
        "published": "2026-08-16T16:14:26.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}