Two dead in the fire on the Greek island of Salamis

Two bodies have been found during operations to put out the fire that broke out at Peristeria, on the island of Salamis, near Athens.

There are currently two fire fronts on the island. One affects the Peristeria area, a wooded stretch close to a settlement. The other is in the Selinia area.

Hundreds of people have been evacuated. A fire service spokesperson explained that there are hundreds of bathers and residents on the island and that an evacuation order has been issued.

Firefighting is being complicated by strong winds. Water-bombing aircraft and helicopters have been deployed against the flames.

Salamis lies in the Saronic Gulf, a short distance from the coast of Attica and from the port of Piraeus. It is a densely populated island where residential areas alternate with woodland, and in August it hosts large numbers of holidaymakers. That combination of dry vegetation and close human presence is why the evacuation order was issued quickly.