UPDATES

A frantic search is underway for a child missing after the fire in Liti. The child is believed to be the child of the person who died and the woman who was injured.

A total of 115 firefighters are operating in the area, including three special forest firefighting units, with 36 vehicles, volunteers and local authority machinery.

From the air, 10 aircraft and three helicopters are operating intermittently. –

Winds have eased and the situation with the fire in Liti is improving.

A major wildfire was continuing to burn on Tuesday afternoon in the Oreokastro municipality, north of Thessaloniki, after breaking out in the Derveni area and spreading rapidly towards Liti.

Greek authorities sent a 112 emergency alert ordering residents in Liti to evacuate towards the village football ground, as flames moved close to the first homes on the edge of the settlement. The fire reportedly started at around 14:30 in low vegetation before spreading into woodland.

The Hellenic Fire Service said the body of a man had been found between the forested area and Liti. His identity had not been released by early evening.

A 40-year-old woman was rescued from the area and taken by ambulance to Hippokratio Hospital in Thessaloniki, where she is being treated for burn injuries. Hospital sources said her condition was stable and her life was not in danger.

Firefighting forces were reinforced during the afternoon, with 115 firefighters, three forest commando teams, 36 vehicles, volunteers, 10 aircraft and three helicopters involved in the operation, according to the latest reports. Water drops continued as ground crews fought to stop the fire reaching homes.

Giorgos Tolas, president of the Liti community, said the blaze had been driven by strong winds from the Anthoupoli area towards Liti. He said an abandoned house inside the forested area had burned, but that the quick response by the Fire Service, municipal Civil Protection and police helped prevent the fire from entering the main settlement.

According to the Fire Service, the front was moving south-west, parallel to Liti and towards Melissochori. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.