2 Dead as Wildfire Ravages Greece

A wildfire in southern Greece has resulted in the deaths of two individuals as flames engulfed forestland near the seaside resort of Xylokastro, officials reported Monday.

Nearly 350 firefighters, supported by 18 water-dropping aircraft, are engaged in combating the blaze in the Peloponnese region.

While the primary fire front has been subdued, lingering flare-ups continue to pose challenges, leading to evacuation orders for three nearby villages.

Earlier, precautionary measures prompted the evacuation of six additional villages overnight following the outbreak of the fire on Sunday.

Fortunately, there is no imminent threat to Xylokastro. Strong winds, combined with conditions left tinder-dry by an unusually warm spring and summer—factors attributed to climate change—have exacerbated the fire's intensity.

Civil protection officials cautioned that multiple regions, including Rhodes and other southeastern Aegean Sea islands, face elevated wildfire risks on Tuesday.

The deceased individuals, believed to be residents reported missing late Sunday, bring attention to the fire's human toll.

Fortunately, there are no additional reports of missing persons or damage to homes in the vicinity, located approximately 150 kilometers (93 miles) southwest of Athens.

Firefighters are also tackling another blaze near Xerokambi in central Peloponnese, which erupted on Monday, while a separate wildfire near Andravida has been brought under control, though firefighters remain vigilant.

Greece endures recurrent wildfires each summer, a problem intensified by global warming. In recent months, authorities have faced over 4,500 wildfires amid a prolonged drought and early summer heatwaves, marking one of the most perilous fire seasons in two decades.

Despite these challenges, recent investments in water-bombing aircraft and advanced equipment have allowed firefighters to extinguish most fires shortly after ignition.