In brief
Three petrol bomb explosions hit homes linked to Greece’s ruling New Democracy party in the early hours of July 1, 2026. The most grievous victim, Vagia Nestora, 72, suffered extensive burns covering roughly 80 % of her body and later died in hospital. Her daughter, a New Democracy candidate, also sustained serious burns and smoke inhalation. Police suspect a single group, possibly a motorcycle‑based gang, carried out the coordinated attacks and have yet to apprehend any suspects.
Birth of a tragedy in Thessaloniki: In the pre‑dawn hours of July 1, 2026, a cascade of petrol bombs struck three locations tied to the New Democracy party. The first blast hit the apartment of 72‑year‑old Vagia Nestora, mother of candidate Afroditi Nestora, resulting in severe burns and multiple organ failure. She later succumbed to her injuries in hospital.
The second device damaged the home of Zisis Ioakeimovits, chairman of the Thessaloniki local committee, while the third hit former MP Savvas Anastasiadis. No injuries were reported at those sites.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis condemned the attacks as “murderous and inhumane” and called for a united stance against terrorism. He warned that those behind the assaults would be treated as ordinary criminals. Opposition leader Nikos Androulakis demanded arrest and justice for the perpetrators, echoing former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’s stance that “terrorism has no place in a democracy.”
Police say improvised incendiary devices were placed outside the apartments, triggering the explosions. Counter‑Terrorism Service has taken over the investigation, but no suspects have yet been identified.
Afroditi Nestora remains hospitalized with serious burns and smoke inhalation, and other residents suffered breathing difficulties. The incident has sparked calls for tightened security around political figures in Greece.
