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 8 Version 9
Greece wildfires: Nearly 50 dead in holiday area Greece wildfires: Nearly 50 dead in holiday area
(35 minutes later)
Nearly 50 people have died in wildfires burning in the Attica region around Athens, in Greece's worst fire crisis in more than a decade. Nearly 50 people have died in wildfires in the eastern part of the Attica region around Athens, in Greece's worst fire crisis in more than a decade.
According to the local mayor, 26 bodies were found in a yard in the seaside village of Mati, which is at the centre of the disaster.According to the local mayor, 26 bodies were found in a yard in the seaside village of Mati, which is at the centre of the disaster.
The fire brigade confirmed an overall death toll of 49, with many of the dead believed to be young children.The fire brigade confirmed an overall death toll of 49, with many of the dead believed to be young children.
Many calls have been made to the rescue services looking for missing persons.Many calls have been made to the rescue services looking for missing persons.
As part of a huge rescue effort, emergency workers used boats and helicopters to evacuate a beach.As part of a huge rescue effort, emergency workers used boats and helicopters to evacuate a beach.
A search-and-rescue operation is being conducted for 10 tourists who fled one of the fires in a boat, officials say. Hundreds of firefighters have been battling the blazes and the authorities are seeking international assistance.
Hundreds of firefighters are battling the blazes and the authorities are seeking international assistance.
"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.
The most shocking scene I ever witnessedThe most shocking scene I ever witnessed
By Kostas Koukoumakas, journalist, MatiBy Kostas Koukoumakas, journalist, Mati
What is happening here in eastern Attica is a black hell. After I passed by hundreds of burning cars and houses earlier today, I reached the yard where police said so many people had been found dead.What is happening here in eastern Attica is a black hell. After I passed by hundreds of burning cars and houses earlier today, I reached the yard where police said so many people had been found dead.
I could see some of them lying on the ground as fog covered the place and a toxic smell spread through the atmosphere.I could see some of them lying on the ground as fog covered the place and a toxic smell spread through the atmosphere.
Most of them were tourists who had tried to find refuge but did not make it.Most of them were tourists who had tried to find refuge but did not make it.
"I am calling my cousin but he does not respond," said Spiros Hatziandreou, who visited the spot. I could see flames on the trees and the electricity pillars all around. After that, police blocked access to everyone except rescuers."I am calling my cousin but he does not respond," said Spiros Hatziandreou, who visited the spot. I could see flames on the trees and the electricity pillars all around. After that, police blocked access to everyone except rescuers.
How badly burnt is Mati?How badly burnt is Mati?
Most of the victims were trapped in the village 40km (25 miles) north-east of Athens, and died either in their homes or their cars. Fire swept through the village 40km (25 miles) north-east of Athens on Monday and was still burning in some areas on Tuesday morning.
Desperate families trying to reach the safety of the sea, just metres away, were trapped by walls of smoke and flame. Others died in buildings or cars.
Coastal patrol boats and private vessels picked up hundreds of those who did manage to reach harbours or beaches.
"Thankfully the sea was there and we went into the sea, because the flames were chasing us all the way to the water," said one survivor, Kostas Laganos.
"It burned our backs and we dived into the water... I said, 'My God, we must run to save ourselves.'"
The village is located in the Rafina region which is popular with local tourists, especially pensioners and children attending holiday camps, Reuters news agency notes.The village is located in the Rafina region which is popular with local tourists, especially pensioners and children attending holiday camps, Reuters news agency notes.
The charred bodies in the yard were lying just 15m (50ft) from the sea, photographer Pantelis Saitas told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency. Charred bodies in the yard were lying just 15m (50ft) from the sea, photographer Pantelis Saitas told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency.
"These people must have tried to find a way out into the sea but they were likely trapped in the flames," he said. At least 150 people were injured in the area.
At least 150 people were injured in the area,
"Thankfully the sea was there and we went into the sea, because the flames were chasing us all the way to the water," said Kostas Laganos, who also survived the Mati fire.
"It burned our backs and we dived into the water... I said my God, we must run to save ourselves."
How are the authorities responding?How are the authorities responding?
Prime Minister Tsipras has declared a state of emergency in Attica, saying "all emergency forces" had been mobilised. Prime Minister Tsipras has declared a state of emergency in Attica, saying all emergency services had been mobilised.
His government has asked other European countries for helicopters and additional firefighters to help tackle the fires.His government has asked other European countries for helicopters and additional firefighters to help tackle the fires.
Italy, Germany, Poland and France have all sent help in the form of planes, vehicles and firefighters, and Spain and Cyprus have offered Greece assistance, but with temperatures set to soar again, they are in a race against time to get the fires under control.Italy, Germany, Poland and France have all sent help in the form of planes, vehicles and firefighters, and Spain and Cyprus have offered Greece assistance, but with temperatures set to soar again, they are in a race against time to get the fires under control.
Help is also needed in Sweden where at least one person has been killed and dozens injured by forest fires there as soaring temperatures continue across much of Europe.Help is also needed in Sweden where at least one person has been killed and dozens injured by forest fires there as soaring temperatures continue across much of Europe.
The wildfires are the worst to hit Greece since 2007, when dozens of people were killed in the southern Peloponnese peninsula.The wildfires are the worst to hit Greece since 2007, when dozens of people were killed in the southern Peloponnese peninsula.
What caused the fires?What caused the fires?
Fires are a recurring problem during the hot, dry summer months in Attica. The flames this week were fanned by high winds.Fires are a recurring problem during the hot, dry summer months in Attica. The flames this week were fanned by high winds.
Officials quoted by AFP news agency have suggested the current blazes may have been started by arsonists looking to loot abandoned homes.Officials quoted by AFP news agency have suggested the current blazes may have been started by arsonists looking to loot abandoned homes.
"Fifteen fires had started simultaneously on three different fronts in Athens," said government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos.
Greece, he added, had requested drones from the US to "observe and detect any suspicious activity".
Are you in Athens? How have you been affected by the wildfires? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in Athens? How have you been affected by the wildfires? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
Or use the form belowOr use the form below