Two dead and evacuation under way as fires break out on Greek island

What the report says

Two people have died and an evacuation is under way after two fires broke out almost at the same time on the Greek island of Salamina, near Athens, BBC World News reported. Greek media said nearly 200 firefighters were working to contain the blazes and prevent them from merging into a larger wildfire.

According to the report, the first fire was logged at 14:40 local time on Sunday and spread quickly because of strong winds. Salamina had been under a high wildfire risk warning, and officials said the second blaze began within minutes of the first. Firefighters, supported by aircraft and about 50 fire engines, were deployed to the island.

A coastguard spokesman told Greek broadcaster ERT that about 90 people had been evacuated by sea. Five patrol boats were sent to the area, with additional private vessels made available to help. Local deputy mayor Thodoris Zannis said crews were trying to stop the flames crossing a mountain and joining into one major fire.

Salamina lies just west of Athens and has a population of roughly 37,000, many of them elderly, making evacuations particularly sensitive. The incident comes amid a wider period of severe wildfire activity across parts of Europe during hot weather, though the BBC report focused on the situation on Salamina.