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04-07-2026
ATHENS: Two people have been found dead as an out-of-control wildfire burns in northern Greece, forcing residents of a nearby village to evacuate.
The body of a man was discovered in a charred area near Liti, about 15km (nine miles) north-west of the city of Thessaloniki. A second body, yet to be identified was found later in a house in a forested area near the village.
A woman rescued near the house with burn injuries is now said to be in a stable condition in hospital. A 12-year-old child is also reported missing.
More than 100 firefighters, dozens of fire engines and at least seven aircraft are trying to contain the fire, reportedly facing a wall of flame some 5km long and still spreading.
The cause of the blaze, which broke out at about 14:30 local time (11:30 GMT) on Tuesday and quickly spread to a nearby forest, has not yet been determined.
The region was under a high wildfire risk warning, with dry conditions and high winds making it harder to contain the fire and causing repeated flare-ups.
Residents in Liti were urged to flee their homes while Greek broadcaster ERT reported a small number of properties had been damaged by the fire, which was spreading towards the nearby village of Melissochori on Tuesday evening.
The reported missing child is believed to be the son of the man found dead earlier and the injured woman.
It is Greece’s latest forest fire in recent days as it heads towards its peak tourist season. Wildfires have become a common occurrence for the country during summers of regular droughts and heatwaves.
A body was found on Tuesday inside a wildfire zone near Thessaloniki, northern Greece, as firefighters struggled to contain a blaze that forced the evacuation of a nearby village.
Woman with burns rescued near home as Thessaloniki wildfire spreads
Firefighters also brought a woman to safety after finding her with burns outside a residence in the affected area. She was later transferred to an ambulance from Greece’s national emergency medical service.
Police officers and medical teams were positioned around the fire perimeter as emergency crews worked to protect residents and homes.
Blaze spread quickly toward forested area
The fire started at approximately 2:30 p.m. in an agricultural area between Oraiokastro and Liti, burning grain fields and dry grass before moving into nearby forestland. Strong winds made the firefighting operation more difficult, while large columns of smoke were visible from a distance. The area was under a Category 3 high fire risk warning on Tuesday.
112 Alerts sent as Liti evacuated
Authorities issued the first warning through 112, the European emergency number, at 3:50 pm, advising residents to remain alert and follow official instructions.
A second 112 alert later ordered the evacuation of Liti, directing residents to move toward the village’s soccer field.
More than 100 firefighters deployed to Thessaloniki wildfire
Firefighting forces were reinforced as the operation continued through the afternoon. According to the latest update, 115 firefighters were deployed, including three forest commando units, supported by 36 vehicles and volunteers.
Ten aircraft and three helicopters were assigned to the aerial firefighting operation, flying in rotation over the affected area.
Greece’s national emergency coordination center also maintained a continuous drone feed from the scene, using optical and thermal cameras to support the response, according to the fire service. (Int’l Monitoring Desk)
