A fire declared this Sunday on the island of Salamina (Greece) has caused at least two deaths and four injuries. Two fires are spreading in parallel and rapidly across the island, a short distance from Athens, according to local press reports.
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The first fire was declared around 14:45 in the Peristeria area, at the southern tip of the island, which is about 15 kilometers in diameter and is separated from Athens by just a few hundred meters of sea.
Fifteen minutes later, another fire spread in the Selinia area, on the eastern part of the island, about eight kilometers from Peristeria, reports the newspaper Kathimerini.
During the extinguishing efforts in Peristeria, firefighters found two lifeless bodies in the area, which is a mixed residential and forest use zone where the fire originated, according to a statement from the fire services, cited by the newspaper.
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Additionally, firefighters transported four injured people to primary care centers, whose condition is not serious, and evacuation of bathers from this popular beach area has begun.
Several boats are available for a possible evacuation of residents by sea. About 260 firefighters are working on the two fronts with around fifty vehicles, assisted by 10 planes and eight helicopters, according to Greek authorities.
Strong gusty winds are hindering the extinguishing efforts on the island, which has wooded hills exceeding 300 meters in height.
