Massive fire in Derven near Thessaloniki, one dead and one injured

A major fire that broke out this afternoon in the Derven area, near Thessaloniki, has claimed the life of one person and left a woman injured.

Because of the wind and high temperatures, the flames, which started at around 14:30 in an area of scrubland, quickly spread into the forested area as well.

The fire advanced toward the forest and approached the village of Liti, prompting authorities to order the evacuation of residents.

According to the Fire Service, the victim is a man whose body was found in the forest area between Derven and the village of Liti.

Meanwhile, a woman was injured after, according to reports, she was trying to extinguish the flames near her home. She suffered burns to her hands, was rescued by firefighters and was then taken by ambulance to hospital.

More than 11 firefighters, three special forest firefighting teams, 36 fire engines, ten aircraft and three helicopters carrying out continuous water drops have been deployed in the operation.

Because of the danger, the 112 emergency system sent two warning messages. In the second alert, residents of the village of Liti were asked to leave immediately for the village stadium and follow the authorities’ instructions.

Police forces and emergency services are also on the scene, while firefighters continue efforts to contain the flames and protect residential areas.

In the skies above Thessaloniki, every ten minutes Canadair aircraft can be seen heading in from the sea after taking on water and then returning to the area where the fire remains out of control.