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Two major forest fires raged out of control on either side of Greece's capital Monday, leaving more than 20 people dead, according to a Greek government spokesperson.
Dimitris Tzanakopoulos said early Tuesday that at least 69 other people have been hospitalized with injuries. Many are in serious condition.
The two blazes have injured dozens more and left charred houses in its wake, sending people to the sea, where coast guard boats battled to force the winds to evacuate them.
Regional authorities declared a state of emergency in the western and eastern parts of Attica, the greater Athens area, while Greece called on the European Union for badistance and badistance in the battle against flames. Greece said Cyprus offered to send firefighters while Spain offered water-dropping aircraft.
At least five major hospitals in the capital were put on alert for more potential casualties. while police port took down names as they disembarked. Several other fires broke out across the country, including in northeastern Greece and the southern island of Crete, stretching Greece's firefighting capabilities. Gale force winds that frequently changed direction and continued into the night were hampering firefighting efforts.
The coast guard was searching for a helicopter and patrol vessel for eight people, believed to be Danish tourists, who had fled the flames near Rafina in a boat and were reported missing. And the rest of the sea was about 5.5 kilometers east of Rafina and was in good health.
The coast guard said the same ferry none were from the missing boat. The coast guard has five vessels to rescue people trapped by the flames. It has been reported that it has been reported to be a source of information to the people of the world.
A firefighter sprays water in the town of Mati, east of Athens.
fires, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said in Athens. "
Tsipras said more than 600 firefighters and 300 vehicles were involved in fires.
The first major fire broke out in a pine forest near the seaside settlement of Kineta, 50 kilometers west of Athens between the capital and Corinth. At least 220 firefighters have been on the scene while we are on the water.
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras says he is 'doing everything humanly possible' to deal with the wildfires (Simela Pantzartzi / EPA)
Local communities have been evacuated and the blaze shut down to nearly 20-kilometer section on two highways linking the Peloponnese with central Greece.
The second major blaze broke out Monday afternoon in the Penteli and Rafina areas northeast of Athens. Children's summer camps and a seaside resort for military officers have been evacuated, as well as residences in the area.
Unknown cause
It was not immediately clear how any of the fires started. Forest fires are common in Greece during the hot, dry summers and the country has been facing temperatures of up to 40 C.
People stand in the sea near cars parked in the city
