Deadly wildfire near Thessaloniki spreads for a second day as death toll rises
Two people have now been found dead in the wildfire area near Thessaloniki in northern Greece, as firefighters continued to battle an out-of-control blaze on Tuesday evening. The fire broke out near Liti, about 15km north-west of the city, and spread quickly into nearby forested land. Residents in Liti were urged to leave their homes as the flames moved towards the village of Melissochori.
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The body of a man was discovered in a charred area near Liti, while a second body, which has not yet been identified, was later found in a house in a forested area nearby. A woman rescued near the house with burn injuries is said to be in a stable condition in hospital. A 12-year-old child is also reported missing, and is believed to be the son of the man found dead and the injured woman.
More than 100 firefighters, dozens of fire engines and at least seven aircraft were deployed to contain the blaze. Crews were reported to be facing a wall of flame about 5km long, with repeated flare-ups making the operation more difficult. The fire began at about 14:30 local time and was still spreading later in the day, while a small number of properties were reported damaged.
The incident comes during a period of high wildfire risk in Greece, where dry conditions and strong winds have made summer fires harder to control. The country regularly faces major forest fires during drought and heatwave conditions, and the current blaze is among the latest to affect the region as it moves towards the peak tourist season. The scale of the response near Thessaloniki reflects both the speed of the fire and the threat to nearby communities.
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The cause of the blaze has not yet been determined. It is also not yet clear how many properties may ultimately be affected, or whether the missing child has been found. Firefighters are expected to continue working through the night, with the situation likely to depend on whether winds ease and the fire can be brought under control.
The deaths and evacuations underline the immediate human cost of wildfires in northern Greece, where emergency services are often stretched during the summer months. The response has involved local and national firefighting resources, including aircraft, as authorities try to prevent the fire from spreading further. Officials are expected to keep monitoring the area closely as the situation develops.
A wildfire burning out of control near Thessaloniki in northern Greece has left one man dead and forced residents of a nearby village to evacuate. The blaze broke out on Tuesday afternoon near Liti, about 15km north-west of the city, and quickly spread into nearby forested areas. Firefighters were still working late into the day to contain the fire as hot, windy conditions made the operation more difficult.
The man's body was found in a charred area near Liti, according to the report. A woman was also injured after reportedly trying to put out the flames herself, suffering burns to her hands. The fire began at about 14:30 local time and had already prompted a major emergency response by Tuesday evening.
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More than 100 firefighters were deployed to the scene, supported by dozens of fire engines and at least seven aircraft. Officials were dealing with a wall of flame said to stretch for around 5km, with the fire still spreading as crews tried to bring it under control. Residents in Liti were urged to leave their homes, and a small number of properties were reported damaged.
The incident comes as Greece faces another difficult wildfire season during its peak tourist period. The country regularly sees major summer fires, particularly during periods of drought and heatwaves, and the current blaze was reported under a high wildfire risk warning. Dry conditions and strong winds have repeatedly complicated firefighting efforts across the region.
The fire was also moving towards the village of Melissochori, adding to concerns about the wider spread of the blaze. The cause has not yet been determined, and it remains unclear how many properties may ultimately be affected. What happens next will depend on whether crews can contain the fire overnight and whether the weather conditions ease enough to reduce the risk of further flare-ups.
The death and evacuation underline the immediate human cost of wildfires in northern Greece, where emergency services are often stretched during the summer months. The response near Thessaloniki involved local and national firefighting resources, reflecting the scale of the threat. Authorities are expected to continue monitoring the area closely as the fire develops.
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