Fire in Oreokastro, Greece kills 66‑year‑old father and 12‑year‑old son

A rapidly spreading fire broke out on 30 June around 14:30 in the low‑vegetation area near the village of Liti, Oreokastro, Greece. Strong winds carried the flames for nearly three kilometres, endangering the settlement of about 4,000 residents. More than 100 firefighters and ten aerial units fought the blaze.

The fire engulfed a family home. The 66‑year‑old father, a retired teacher, was found carbonised in the yard, having stayed behind to try to save the house. The 12‑year‑old son’s body was later discovered inside a cupboard; official identification is pending. The 40‑year‑old mother was rescued with burns on her hands, face and other areas and is being treated at the Hippocrates Hospital in Thessaloniki.

Local authorities, including Mayor Pantelis Tsakiris, expressed deep sorrow and thanked emergency services and volunteers for their response. The cause of the fire and the circumstances that led the boy to hide in the cupboard are under investigation.