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Fires kill 15 in southern Greece Fires prompt Greek appeal to EU
(about 7 hours later)
At least 15 people have been killed in southern Greece on the deadliest day of wildfires this year. The Greek government has appealed to the European Union for assistance as wildfires, which have killed at least 19 people, continue to blaze.
Officials are unable to enter some areas to check for further casualties as fires still rage out of control. Emergency services have been overwhelmed - with more than 170 fires raging across the country.
Among the fatalities was a volunteer fireman who suffered a heart attack as he tackled one of more than 100 blazes. The government has declared a state of emergency in the provinces of Lakonia and Messinia, in what the prime minister called a "tragedy".
A blaze flared in Athens itself overnight, but is now under control.
The fire, in the Filothei district north of the city centre, broke out in the early hours of Saturday, and it took more than 10 fire engines to put it out.
Friday was the deadliest day of a terrible summer of forest fires, a war of attrition against the flames that has now been raging for two months, says the BBC's Malcolm Brabant in Athens.
We are living through an unspeakable tragedy today Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis In pictures: Greek wildfires
Among the fatalities was a volunteer fireman who suffered a heart attack as he tackled one of the blazes.
At least nine people are reported to have burned to death in their cars as they attempted to flee the flames in the western Peloponnese region.At least nine people are reported to have burned to death in their cars as they attempted to flee the flames in the western Peloponnese region.
The victims, driving near the town of Zahero, were surrounded by a wall of fire and could not break through.The victims, driving near the town of Zahero, were surrounded by a wall of fire and could not break through.
A local prefect close to the scene described it as horrific.A local prefect close to the scene described it as horrific.
The helicopters are operating whenever the weather conditions permit... the pilots are making incredible efforts Fire official Nikos Diamandis In pictures: Greek wildfires
"The situation is extremely dire... The speed with which this fire has been spreading is astonishing," said the mayor of Zahero, Pantazis Chronopoulos."The situation is extremely dire... The speed with which this fire has been spreading is astonishing," said the mayor of Zahero, Pantazis Chronopoulos.
Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis visited Zahero late on Friday, and told reporters: "We are living through an unspeakable tragedy today."
Six deaths have been confirmed in the seaside town of Areopolis in the Mani region of Greece's deep south. Hotels and several villages have been evacuated, fire officials said.Six deaths have been confirmed in the seaside town of Areopolis in the Mani region of Greece's deep south. Hotels and several villages have been evacuated, fire officials said.
Scores of other people in the region have been taken to hospital with burns.Scores of other people in the region have been taken to hospital with burns.
Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis is travelling to the worst-affected areas. The overstretched fire services are being helped by the military.
The government has announced a state of emergency in the provinces of Lakonia and Messinia and has asked the European Union for aid. Acting Interior Minister Spyros Flogaitis called on EU countries "to send any help they can".
Incredible effortsIncredible efforts
The biggest fires are raging out of control, whipped up by dry winds gusting up to gale force, which have hampered the efforts of water-dropping aircraft. The biggest fires are still raging out of control, whipped up by dry winds gusting up to gale force, which have hampered the efforts of water-dropping aircraft.
Some helicopters have managed to take flight and their crews have been praised for heroism in the most difficult conditions.Some helicopters have managed to take flight and their crews have been praised for heroism in the most difficult conditions.
More than 100 fires are burning across GreeceMore than 100 fires are burning across Greece
"The helicopters are operating whenever the weather conditions permit... The pilots are making incredible efforts," fire department spokesman Nikos Diamandis said."The helicopters are operating whenever the weather conditions permit... The pilots are making incredible efforts," fire department spokesman Nikos Diamandis said.
At nightfall they will be grounded and there is no sign of the winds dying down. Our correspondent says the large number of deaths has transformed what had previously been seen as a predominantly ecological disaster.
The BBC's Malcolm Brabant in Athens says the large number of deaths has transformed what had previously been seen as a predominantly ecological disaster.
There has been widespread public anger at the government's response, which many have criticised as inadequate and slow.There has been widespread public anger at the government's response, which many have criticised as inadequate and slow.
Mr Karamanlis is under considerable political pressure, as he faces an early general election in three weeks' time.