Archive · 17 Aug 2026
Elderly couple die as wildfires sweep Greek island of Salamina
On a Greek island called Salamina, a big fire started.
The fire spread very fast because of strong winds.
Sadly, an old man and an old woman died near their home.
Several other people were hurt.
More than 500 people had to leave their homes to be safe.
Firefighters, planes, and helicopters worked hard to stop the fire.
Some houses were damaged.
The fire happened during a big summer holiday weekend.
People do not know yet what started the fire.
Hot weather in Europe has made many places very dry, which helps fires spread.
An elderly couple died and several other people were injured as fast-moving wildfires swept the Greek island of Salamina.
Greece's coast guard said more than 500 people had been evacuated from the island.
The blaze hit during Greece's peak summer getaway weekend around the August 15 Assumption holiday.
About 192 firefighters, 14 aircraft and helicopters, volunteer crews and municipal water tankers were deployed to contain the blazes.
The cause of the fires was not immediately known, and Salamina was under a high wildfire risk warning on Sunday.
- Who
- An elderly couple who died, several other injured people, and responders including about 192 firefighters, the coast guard, and firefighting vessels.
- What
- Fast-moving wildfires swept the island of Salamina, killing an elderly couple, injuring others, damaging houses, and forcing evacuations.
- When
- Sunday, August 16, during Greece's peak summer getaway weekend around the August 15 Assumption holiday.
- Where
- Salamina, a Greek island west of Athens, easily accessible from the capital's main port of Piraeus.
- Why
- Strong winds fanned the fires; the cause was not immediately known, and heatwaves across Europe left vegetation tinder-dry.
- Deaths
- 2 (an elderly couple)
- Evacuations
- More than 500 people
- Injuries
- Several people injured; 5 taken to a local health clinic
- Firefighting resources
- About 192 firefighters, 14 aircraft and helicopters, volunteer crews and municipal water tankers
- Location
- Salamina, Greece (west of Athens)
- Date
- Sunday, August 16, during the Assumption holiday weekend
- Wildfire risk
- High risk warning in effect on Salamina
- Cause
- Not immediately known