The mother of a Greek politician died in a fire

The mother of a politician from Greece’s ruling New Democracy Party has died from injuries sustained in an arson attack targeting party officials.

Vagia Nestora, 72, suffered severe burns and multiple organ failure, according to the hospital where she was taken in northern Thessaloniki.

Her daughter Aphrodite Nestora was injured in an explosion and fire at the apartment building where she lived.

Three separate attacks involving petrol bombs and other coordinated weapons were carried out within minutes in Thessaloniki early Wednesday morning.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Vagia Nestora’s death exposed “deadly and inhumane” political violence and called for a united response to “destroy terrorism to… the margins”.

He said that those who used to carry out such attacks under the guise of social struggle are “nothing more than criminals, they are considered as such”.

Hospital officials said Vagia Nestora was in a critical condition with burns covering 80% of her body and died later despite intensive care.

Her daughter, a party candidate, was hospitalized with burns and smoke inhalation. Aphrodite Nestora’s father and two other residents, who have health problems, were admitted after experiencing breathing problems.

Improvised incendiary devices were thrown outside the apartment building, sparking the explosion and fire, police said. The explosion destroyed two cars, damaged several motorcycles and caused extensive damage to the building.

The two other attacks targeted the homes of Savvas Anastasiadis, chairman of the New Democracy Thessaloniki Management Committee and former New Democracy MP. No injuries were reported in those incidents.

Reports say the three attacks took place at 04:18, 04:23 and 04:35 on Wednesday. Police suspect that the three attacks were carried out by the same criminals, who traveled on a motorcycle and quickly disposed of the weapons.

The Greek Anti-Terrorist Service has taken over the investigation. No one has claimed responsibility for the attacks and no arrests have been made yet.

Greek opposition leader Nikos Androulakis said those responsible for Vagia Nestora’s death must be arrested, tried and punished.

“There can be no tolerance for criminal activities in a law-governed democratic society,” he said.

The country’s former prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, also condemned the attack: “Terrorism has no place in a democracy.”