Two dead in forest fires on the Greek island of Salamis

At least two people have died in forest fires on the Greek island of Salamis near Athens.

Two bodies were recovered near Peristeria beach in the south of the island, a fire department spokesman said. The identity of the dead is not yet known, as the Greek public broadcaster ERT reported.

Two forest fires had broken out almost simultaneously near popular bathing spots in the south and east of the island.

Holidaymakers and locals are being evacuated

Hundreds of holidaymakers and locals were asked to evacuate. The coast guard said it sent five patrol boats to Salamis to bring bathers and residents to safety, and private boats also came to help.

Around 200 firefighters as well as six firefighting planes and seven helicopters were deployed against the fires raging in inhabited areas. The aim is to prevent the two fires from eating their way up a mountain slope and combining into a large fire front, Salamis' deputy mayor Thodoris Zannis told the television station ERT. Strong winds made extinguishing work considerably more difficult.

34 forest fires broke out in Greece

According to the Greek fire department, 34 forest fires have broken out across the country in the past 24 hours. At the beginning of August, a fire northwest of Athens destroyed more than 11,000 hectares of land. At that time, it took five days until the fire could be brought under control.