In a shocking series of coordinated attacks targeting senior members of Greece’s ruling New Democracy party in the northern city of Thessaloniki, a 72-year-old woman has become the first fatality after succumbing to severe burn injuries sustained in an early Wednesday incendiary assault.
Vagia Nestora, mother of New Democracy parliamentary candidate Afroditi Nestora, was caught in the blast and fire that tore through the apartment building where her daughter resides. Hospital officials confirmed that Nestora arrived at the medical facility in critical condition with burns covering nearly 80% of her total body surface. Despite aggressive, round-the-clock intensive care intervention, she developed multiple organ failure and passed away shortly after admission.
Her daughter Afroditi, who is running as a party candidate in upcoming elections, also suffered second-degree burns and severe smoke inhalation, and remains hospitalized in stable condition as of the latest updates. Afroditi’s father, who lives with the family and has pre-existing chronic health conditions, alongside two other residents of the multi-story building, were also admitted for observation after experiencing respiratory distress from smoke exposure.
Authorities confirm the attack on the Nestora family’s building was one of three synchronized improvised incendiary attacks that unfolded within 17 minutes across Thessaloniki. The first explosion was recorded at 4:18 a.m. local time, followed by two more blasts at 4:23 a.m. and 4:35 a.m. respectively. The two additional attacks targeted the private residences of Zisis Ioakeimovits, chair of New Democracy’s Thessaloniki regional administrative committee, and Savvas Anastasiadis, a former New Democracy member of parliament. No injuries were reported in these two incidents, though minor property damage was recorded at both locations.
Investigators say the attackers placed homemade petrol-based incendiary devices outside the targeted apartment buildings. At the Nestora residence, the blast completely destroyed two parked passenger cars, damaged multiple nearby motorcycles, and caused significant structural damage to the building’s ground floor and entryway.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis traveled directly to Thessaloniki’s main hospital immediately after the attacks to meet with victims’ families and oversee the initial law enforcement response. Speaking to reporters shortly before Vagia Nestora’s death was announced, Mitsotakis condemned the attackers in strong terms, rejecting any attempt to frame the violence as a legitimate form of political or social protest. “Those who carry out these attacks under the guise of social struggle are nothing more than criminals, and they will be treated as such,” the prime minister said. He added that violence has no place in a functioning democratic society, and vowed that all those responsible would be apprehended and held fully accountable under Greek law.
The Greek Counter-Terrorism Service has taken over lead investigative responsibility for the case, and is currently working to confirm whether the three attacks were fully coordinated by a single group or network. Investigators are reviewing hundreds of hours of closed-circuit television footage from nearby businesses and public spaces to identify suspects, and have not yet announced any arrests in connection with the assaults. As of Thursday morning, no domestic or extremist group has issued a claim of responsibility for the attacks.