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Greece wildfires: ‘Hundreds went into the sea’ | Greece wildfires: ‘Hundreds went into the sea’ |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Greek residents describe their terror and heartache as friends and loved ones are killed in wildfires around Athens. | Greek residents describe their terror and heartache as friends and loved ones are killed in wildfires around Athens. |
Flames fanned by strong winds have devastated the Attica region killing at least 60 people and injuring hundreds of others. | Flames fanned by strong winds have devastated the Attica region killing at least 60 people and injuring hundreds of others. |
Rescuers found the bodies of 26 adults and children, who had apparently hugged each other as they died, while many more people are still missing. | Rescuers found the bodies of 26 adults and children, who had apparently hugged each other as they died, while many more people are still missing. |
'Branches and debris were hitting the car' | 'Branches and debris were hitting the car' |
Giannis Labropoulos was driving from Patras to Athens. | Giannis Labropoulos was driving from Patras to Athens. |
"We could not see more than 20 metres ahead but all of a sudden we could feel the heat and see the fire. I just thought this cannot be happening," he told the BBC. | "We could not see more than 20 metres ahead but all of a sudden we could feel the heat and see the fire. I just thought this cannot be happening," he told the BBC. |
"We were pretty scared. We didn't know if we would make it through, we just did not know what to expect. | "We were pretty scared. We didn't know if we would make it through, we just did not know what to expect. |
"Branches and debris were hitting the car. | "Branches and debris were hitting the car. |
"The power of the fire and the intense heat made it something we would not want to experience ever again." | "The power of the fire and the intense heat made it something we would not want to experience ever again." |
'A family friend died in the sea' | 'A family friend died in the sea' |
Olivia Exarchakou, 19, is a student in central Athens. Two of her family friends have died in the fires. | Olivia Exarchakou, 19, is a student in central Athens. Two of her family friends have died in the fires. |
"All day we could see the smoke from the rooftops. We saw it billowing past the Acropolis. | "All day we could see the smoke from the rooftops. We saw it billowing past the Acropolis. |
"Yesterday it was very hot and dark because of the smoke. | "Yesterday it was very hot and dark because of the smoke. |
"There was a lot of wind as well, the winds were so strong cushions and mops were blown from balconies onto the street below. | "There was a lot of wind as well, the winds were so strong cushions and mops were blown from balconies onto the street below. |
"A close friend of my mother lost her summer house in the Voutsa area. | "A close friend of my mother lost her summer house in the Voutsa area. |
"I know two people who have died as a result of the fire. | "I know two people who have died as a result of the fire. |
"One died at home. She didn't have time to get out of her house because of the speed at which the fire spread. | "One died at home. She didn't have time to get out of her house because of the speed at which the fire spread. |
"Another family friend lost her life at the beach. She was in the water when she was found." | "Another family friend lost her life at the beach. She was in the water when she was found." |
'People are missing' | 'People are missing' |
Catherine Hooper from Bristol travels to Greece regularly and is close to the affected area. | Catherine Hooper from Bristol travels to Greece regularly and is close to the affected area. |
"I am about 20km away on the other side of the Pentelicus mountain range where the fire took hold. | "I am about 20km away on the other side of the Pentelicus mountain range where the fire took hold. |
"Even here, the air is acrid. A thick smog hangs over Athens and supermarkets are giving out truck loads of water. | "Even here, the air is acrid. A thick smog hangs over Athens and supermarkets are giving out truck loads of water. |
"I have lost count of the number of fire planes and helicopters that have passed and continue to pass overhead, there is a constant drone from planes overhead. | "I have lost count of the number of fire planes and helicopters that have passed and continue to pass overhead, there is a constant drone from planes overhead. |
"Yesterday afternoon strong winds meant the fire spread down the mountainside fast. Reports here said roads were jammed and that many people ran to the beach to try and out-run the fire. | "Yesterday afternoon strong winds meant the fire spread down the mountainside fast. Reports here said roads were jammed and that many people ran to the beach to try and out-run the fire. |
"Hundreds went into the sea, but the hot ash and flying debris forced many to swim far out. | "Hundreds went into the sea, but the hot ash and flying debris forced many to swim far out. |
"The waves were large and currents pushed people out towards Evia Island. | "The waves were large and currents pushed people out towards Evia Island. |
"This morning I heard that three women and a child drowned. Many more are missing at sea. | "This morning I heard that three women and a child drowned. Many more are missing at sea. |
"Some swimmers were in the water for four hours before being rescued. | "Some swimmers were in the water for four hours before being rescued. |
"This morning 26 people were found dead in a taverna. I hear that they have found a mother dead with her child in her arms. | "This morning 26 people were found dead in a taverna. I hear that they have found a mother dead with her child in her arms. |
"They have counted 25 people dead on the roads towards the beach. | "They have counted 25 people dead on the roads towards the beach. |
"I feel sure that as rescue services search the gutted buildings they will find more bodies." | "I feel sure that as rescue services search the gutted buildings they will find more bodies." |
'A biblical catastrophe' | 'A biblical catastrophe' |
George Vokos is in Mati. He says he is lucky to be alive after two people died in his arms. | George Vokos is in Mati. He says he is lucky to be alive after two people died in his arms. |
"This is a biblical catastrophe. | "This is a biblical catastrophe. |
"Thank God my family are safe, we ran down to the sea for safety. | "Thank God my family are safe, we ran down to the sea for safety. |
"I have lost two cars in the fire as they are burnt out, and my house has been semi-burnt too." | "I have lost two cars in the fire as they are burnt out, and my house has been semi-burnt too." |
"But two ladies lost their lives as in my hands." | "But two ladies lost their lives as in my hands." |
By Rozina Sini, UGC and Social News Team | By Rozina Sini, UGC and Social News Team |
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