Two people have been found dead as an out‑of‑control wildfire burns near Liti, a small village about 15 kilometres from Thessaloniki. The blaze, which erupted early Tuesday afternoon, has spread over a 5‑kilometre stretch of forest and threatens homes in the nearby village of Melissochori.
A charred body was discovered outside a burned‑out shack, while a second body was found inside a house on the edge of the forest. The individuals have yet to be identified, but local reports say one was a man whose son, a 12‑year‑old boy, remains missing.
More than 100 firefighters, dozens of fire engines and at least seven aircraft are struggling to tame the blaze, which is fed by dry conditions and high winds that also fuel frequent flare‑ups. Greek broadcaster ERT reported that a handful of properties have been damaged and residents have been urged to evacuate.
One woman rescued from the flames suffers burn injuries but is now in stable condition at a hospital. The cause of the fire remains undetermined, and authorities are investigating whether it was accidental or deliberate.
The fire is Greece’s latest in a string of summer wildfires that have alarmed the country as it heads into peak tourist season. Experts warn that extreme heatwaves and prolonged droughts will continue to heighten the risk of forest fires across the region.
