{
  "id": 1329671,
  "title": "Two dead and hundreds evacuated as twin fires break out on Greek island",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/two-dead-and-hundreds-evacuated-as-twin-fires-break-out-on-greek",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-16T18:48:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/two-dead-and-hundreds-evacuated-as-twin-fires-break-out-on-greek-island/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Two individuals lost their lives and hundreds of residents were evacuated following two fires that ignited almost simultaneously on the Greek island of Salamina, near Athens. Approximately 200 firefighters were battling to prevent the twin fires from merging and engulfing the island. The first fire was reported at 14:40 local time, near the southern coast, and rapidly spread due to strong winds. Twenty minutes later, the second fire broke out in the eastern part of the island. Over 360 people have been evacuated by sea, according to Greek media reports. Five patrol boats and several private vessels have been mobilized to assist in the evacuation efforts. Multiple aircraft and 50 fire engines have also been deployed to contain the fires. The first blaze originated in a mixed residential and forested area in Peristeria, a southern city on the island, while the second fire broke out in the eastern town of Selinia. Firefighters who arrived at the scene of the first fire discovered two bodies. At least four people have been treated for burns at a local health center. Salamina's deputy mayor, Thodoris Zannis, informed that firefighters are working diligently to prevent the fires from converging and forming a single, larger blaze. They are receiving support from water tankers and construction machinery. Salamina, which is situated just west of Athens and is home to around 37,000 residents, many of whom are elderly, is currently under a high wildfire risk. Fires across Europe have been raging this weekend, including a massive blaze in Belgium's largest nature reserve, Hautes Fagnes, which has more than doubled in size in 24 hours and has claimed at least one life and injured dozens. Additionally, a wildfire on Croatia's coastline claimed one life and injured numerous others, prompting the evacuation of approximately 1,200 residents and tourists.",
  "summary": "Two people died and and hundreds were evacuated after two fires broke out \"almost simultaneously\" on a Greek island near Athens, fire officials said.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}