ATHENS — At least 81 people died in huge wildfires around Athens, Greek authorities said on Wednesday, as rescuers scoured scorched homes and burned-out cars for survivors of one of the world’s deadliest fire outbreaks. Scores of locals and holidaymakers fled to the sea to try to escape the flames as they tore through towns and villages near the capital stoked by 100-kilometre-per-hour wind gusts, devouring woodland and hundreds of buildings. Greek media have described the disaster as a "national tragedy", while Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras cut short a visit to Bosnia and announced three days of national mourning. A young Irishman on honeymoon was among those who died, the British embassy in Greece confirmed. According to British media, Brian O’Callaghan-Westropp had been on honeymoon in the coastal village of Mati when his car was caught in the wildfires. Although his new wife Zoe managed to escape to a nearby beach, she was taken to hospital with burns, the … [Read more...] about Greek wildfires toll rises to 81 amid search for survivors
Alexis hills
Greece in mourning as horrifying wildfires kill 74
Firefighters and volunteers try to extinguish flames during a wildfire at the village of Kineta, near Athens, Greece. (Valerie GACHE/AFP) The fires, which broke out on Monday afternoon, devoured homes and forests, forcing terrified residents to flea into the sea for safety, while pine forests were reduced to ash and charred cars lined the smoke-filled streets of seaside towns near Athens. "Today, Greece is in mourning," said Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, who cut short a visit to Bosnia and announced three days of national mourning. Greek media described the disaster as a "national tragedy". The government has not yet said how many people were regarded as missing. But the death toll could surpass that from the blazes which hit Greece's southern island of Evia in 2007 in which 77 people perished. Out of a total 187 people hospitalised, 82 including almost a dozen children were still being treated on Tuesday evening, 10 of whom were in "serious condition", the fire services … [Read more...] about Greece in mourning as horrifying wildfires kill 74
Greek wildfire kills at least 20 near Athens, residents flee homes
The fire in Mati village, some 29 km (18 miles) east of Athens, was by far the country’s worst since blazes devastated the southern Peloponnese peninsula in August 2007, killing dozens, with many victims trapped by flames as they fled. Monday’s fire was one of several that broke out in the country amid a sweltering heat wave. “Mati doesn’t even exist as a settlement anymore,” one woman told Greece’s Skai TV. “I saw corpses, burned-out cars. I feel lucky to be alive.” Mati is in the Rafina region which is popular with local tourists, particularly pensioners and children at holiday camps. Government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos said in a televised statement early Tuesday that the death toll exceeded 20 while more than 88 adults and 16 children were injured. One of the youngest victims was thought to be a six-month-old baby who died of smoke inhalation. A Reuters witness earlier saw at least four dead on a narrow road clogged with cars … [Read more...] about Greek wildfire kills at least 20 near Athens, residents flee homes