Greek Politician’s Mother Dies After Suspected Arson Attack



damage after gas canister bomb exploded
Damage after a gas canister bomb exploded at the entrance of a building in Thessaloniki on July 1, 2026. AFP via Getty Images


Vagia Nestora, 72, mother of party candidate Afroditi Nestora, suffered extensive burns covering roughly 80% of her body after an explosion at her apartment building in Thessaloniki. She was rushed to a regional hospital in critical condition and died despite intensive care.



The attack is part of a series of three petrol‑bomb incidents in the early hours of Wednesday, aimed at the homes of New Democracy officials. Police say improvised incendiary devices were placed outside the buildings, triggering the blast that destroyed cars and damaged motorcycles.



Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis condemned the violence, describing it as “murderous and inhumane” and calling for a united response to banish terrorism from the margins. He urged authorities to treat perpetrators of such acts as criminals.



Opposition leader Nikos Androulakis demanded that those responsible must be arrested and punished, stressing that democratic rule of law leaves no tolerance for criminality. Former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras echoed similar sentiments.



The Counter‑Terrorism Service has taken over the investigation. No group has claimed responsibility and no arrests have been made yet.