This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-44932366
The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Greece wildfires: At least 20 killed, dozens injured | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Forest fires raging across Greece have killed at least 20 people, the government says, as the authorities there seek international assistance. | |
| Hundreds of firefighters are battling the blazes and people have left their homes near the capital, Athens. | Hundreds of firefighters are battling the blazes and people have left their homes near the capital, Athens. |
| A search and rescue operation is underway for 10 tourists who fled one of the fires in a boat, officials say. | A search and rescue operation is underway for 10 tourists who fled one of the fires in a boat, officials say. |
| "We will do whatever is humanly possible to control it," Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras told reporters. | "We will do whatever is humanly possible to control it," Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras told reporters. |
| He cut short an official trip to Bosnia in order to help coordinate the response to the situation, which firefighters have described as "extremely difficult". | He cut short an official trip to Bosnia in order to help coordinate the response to the situation, which firefighters have described as "extremely difficult". |
| Early on Tuesday government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos confirmed that the death toll had risen to 20. | |
| Most of the victims were trapped in the seaside resort of Mati, 40km (25 miles) north-east of Athens, and died either in their homes or their cars. | |
| More than 104 are injured, 11 seriously, he added, with 16 children among the casualties. | |
| Miltiadis Vyronas, from the country's Ekav emergency service, said that 25 people had been taken to hospital and four were seriously injured. | Miltiadis Vyronas, from the country's Ekav emergency service, said that 25 people had been taken to hospital and four were seriously injured. |
| Dramatic video posted on social media showed damaged buildings, orange smoke-filled skies, and people fleeing the fires by car. | Dramatic video posted on social media showed damaged buildings, orange smoke-filled skies, and people fleeing the fires by car. |
| Prime Minister Tsipras said that "all emergency forces have been mobilised" and declared a state of emergency in the Attica region around Athens. | Prime Minister Tsipras said that "all emergency forces have been mobilised" and declared a state of emergency in the Attica region around Athens. |
| The government has asked other European countries for helicopters and additional firefighters to help tackle the fires. | The government has asked other European countries for helicopters and additional firefighters to help tackle the fires. |
| Earlier on Monday, residents of a coastal region near Athens were told to abandon their homes as the uncontrolled fires spread. Hundreds of children were also evacuated from holiday camps. | Earlier on Monday, residents of a coastal region near Athens were told to abandon their homes as the uncontrolled fires spread. Hundreds of children were also evacuated from holiday camps. |
| The extreme weather comes as dozens of wildfires continue to rage in Sweden. | The extreme weather comes as dozens of wildfires continue to rage in Sweden. |
| Countries including Italy, Germany, Poland and France have all sent help in the form of additional planes, vehicles and firefighters. | Countries including Italy, Germany, Poland and France have all sent help in the form of additional planes, vehicles and firefighters. |
| But with temperatures set to soar again, they are in a race against time to get the fires under control. | But with temperatures set to soar again, they are in a race against time to get the fires under control. |