Fatal wildfire near Oraiokastro in Thessaloniki

A wildfire erupted on Tuesday at 14:30 in the Derveni area of Oraiokastro, Thessaloniki, forcing the mobilization of 39 firefighters, 11 vehicles, two helicopters, and three aircraft. The fire started in low vegetation and spread toward the village of Liti, prompting emergency 112 alerts for residents to evacuate toward the local stadium. A 66-year-old man was found dead in the forest, and a 40-year-old woman was rescued and hospitalized at the Ippokrateio Hospital with non-life-threatening burns. Authorities subsequently located a second body, which is suspected to be the man's 12-year-old son who had been reported missing by his family in Liti. The fire reached the edges of the settlement, but authorities confirmed that by the evening, the situation had improved and the fire was contained. The Civil Protection Directorate monitored the operation in real-time using drones equipped with thermal cameras. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation while cleanup and final extinguishing operations continue.