Deadly wildfire on Salamis Island near Athens
Two separate fires broke out within about 20 minutes of each other on 16 August near the popular beaches of Peristeria and Selinia on Salamis Island, near Athens. An elderly couple was found dead in the Peristeria area, and more than 570 weekend beachgoers were evacuated by Coast Guard patrol boats and other vessels. Greece's fire service mobilized roughly 260 firefighters, nearly 60 engines, 10 aircraft and seven helicopters, with reinforcements rushed from the mainland. The fire was declared contained the next day with no active front remaining; damage assessments found about 16 properties affected, a compensation process has opened, and a suspect has been arrested. Ferry and road access to the island is unaffected and no further incidents have been reported since.
First reported August 19, 2026
Timeline
August 17, 2026
The fire that struck Salamis Island on 16 August has been declared contained, with no active front remaining. Damage assessment teams from the General Secretariat for Natural Disaster Recovery began property inspections on 18 August, finding roughly 16 properties damaged (15 homes and one business) in the Peristeria area. Authorities opened an immediate compensation process for household goods, with full rebuilding-grant applications to open within a month. A 49-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of accidentally starting the fire with welding equipment. Ferry and road access to the island is unaffected; travelers to Salamis face no current disruption.
SourceAugust 16, 2026
Two fires broke out within roughly 20 minutes of each other near the Peristeria and Selinia beach areas on Salamis Island on 16 August. An elderly couple was found dead near Peristeria, close to where the fire is believed to have started. More than 570 people were evacuated by Coast Guard patrol boats and other vessels. Greece's fire service deployed about 260 firefighters, nearly 60 engines, 10 aircraft and seven helicopters, with reinforcements sent from the mainland.
Source