Two people have died after a wildfire broke out on Tuesday afternoon in Derveni, within the Oreokastro municipality of Thessaloniki.
Authorities first discovered the body of a 66-year-old man outside his home near the village of Liti, before locating a second victim inside the residence, believed to be his 12-year-old son. The 40-year-old mother and wife is currently hospitalized in Thessaloniki with burns; her injuries are reported to be non-life-threatening.
Blaze spread quickly toward forested area
The fire erupted from an unknown cause in the low-lying vegetation of Thessaloniki‘s northern suburbs, rapidly spreading toward Liti—a community of roughly 4,000 residents—and a nearby pine forest. Eyewitnesses described it as a deceptive, fast-moving ground fire that caught many off guard, with strong winds heavily hampering firefighting efforts. The area had been placed under a Category 3 “high risk” warning on yesterday’s official fire hazard map.
112 Alerts sent as Liti evacuated
Authorities issued the first warning through 112, the European emergency number, at 3:50 p.m., 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.
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