Forest fires are common in Greece during the hot, dry summers, and temperatures recently hit highs up to 40 C. More than 60 people were killed in 2007 when huge fires swept across the southern Peloponnese region.
ATHENS: At least 50 people have died in the worst wildfires to hit Greece in more than a decade, with some residents forced to flee into the sea to escape the advancing flames.At least 150 people are believed to have been injured as a result of the wildfires on the outskirts of Athens.
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said: “We are doing everything humanly possible to tray and tackle these fires.”Having cut short a visit to Bosnia, he added: “What concerns us is that there are fires occurring simultaneously.”
Spain was sending two firefighting aircraft while Cyprus was sending in 60 firefighters to help battle the flames. Israel and Turkey both also offered to help in any way they could.
On Tuesday morning, the Red Cross discovered 26 bodies between two homes in the coastal town of Mati – and officials fear they became “trapped in the flames” as they tried to escape to the sea.
More than 600 firefighters and 300 vehicles are involved in fighting the fires and Greece has asked for help from the European Union countries.
Many people headed to beaches and the coastline to escape, fleeing flames and choking smoke. More than 700 people were evacuated by sea throughout the night, said Merchant Marine deputy minister Nektarios Santorinios, whose ministry is in charge of the coast guard.
Children’s summer camps were evacuated, while a patrol boat was sent to rescue people trapped on a beach.It was the deadliest fire season to hit Greece in more than a decade. More than 60 people were killed in 2007 when huge fires swept across the southern Peloponnese region.
