74 killed, 180+ injured by wildfires in Greece, authorities ask EU for help
Multiple wildfires across Greece’s Attica region have claimed the lives of at least 74 people, firefighters say. With dozens of others injured, authorities have warned of further casualties and pleaded for an EU-wide response.
Around half of the victims are from the village of Mati, a holiday resort on the east coast of the Attica region, just 30km from Athens, the local fire brigade said. Local media also report that some 187 people were injured across the country.
“Some settlements have disappeared from the map,” Mayor of Rafina Pikermiou, Vangelis Bournos told local newspapers.
At least twenty dead as wildfires rage near Athens pic.twitter.com/eeG4WgLc2u
— Ruptly (@Ruptly) July 24, 2018
Reporting that at least 15 wildfires are simultaneously raging across three fronts of the Attic peninsula, which includes the capital Athens, government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos warned of a “very difficult night” ahead given the combination of intense western winds. He noted that at least 16 children are among those affected by the flames.
Ας τσακωθούμε λίγο για το ποιος φταίει για τις πυρκαγιές, άλλωστε μέχρι εκεί φτάνει η ικανότητα μας. Δεν είναι στη Κινέτα, ούτε στα Χανιά, αλλά στη Ραφήνα και μάλλον όσο περνά η ώρα και αλλού. pic.twitter.com/jPbWtcvT1G
— 🍺Vassilis Almpanis (@Liolios2011) July 23, 2018
After the first blaze broke out in a forest near the coastal settlement of Kineta, some 55 kilometers west of the capital, firefighters are yet to contain the wildfires across the peninsula. More than 300 firefighters, seven aircraft, and 10 helicopters are now mobilized to tackle the extremely difficult situation, Tzanakopoulos noted. Private boat operators are also helping the Coast Guard with the rescue.
#Κινεταhttps://t.co/lWM5dZ5bGP καθε φετος και χειροτερα Σε πύρινο κλοιό η χώρα: Εχουν ξεσπάσει μεγάλες πυρκαγιές από το μεσημέρι στα Γεράνεια όρη , στην Κινέτα Αττικής, στον Αποκόρωνα στα Χανιά και πριν από λίγο στην Καλλιτεχνούπολη, στην Πεντέλη.ολος τυχαιος παλι μαζι .....
— WOMEN CHARMER !!! (@KOKORAS10) July 23, 2018
Welcome to Mordor....! #athensonfire#Athens#officeview#φωτιά#πυρκαγιά#Κινεταpic.twitter.com/wShXKQdEWO
— roxana adam (@roxanaadam) July 23, 2018
According to Greek media reports, firefighters are constantly finding charred bodies. The number of missing persons is on the rise, including foreign tourists who tried to flee the flames by boats. Over 100 houses and hundreds of cars have been damaged by the fire.
Faced with the spread of the wildfires, Regional Governor Rena Dourou has declared a state of emergency for the Attica region earlier on Monday, ordering communities affected by the wildfires to be evacuated. Greece has also asked for international assistance to cope with the fires near the capital. Italy, Germany, Poland and France have already offered to help battle the blaze.
“The situation in Attica has gotten out of control,” Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras told reporters early on Tuesday. “We need to do everything we can because there are people in danger."
Tsipras announced three days of national mourning over the tragedy.
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