Forest fires in Greece – 74 dead and many injured

74 people died in the worst forest fires in Greece in ten years.

Hundreds of homes were destroyed, highways were closed and residents were asked to take the plane.

26 bodies were found close to each other on a Mati beach, east of Athens.

– Instinctively, when they saw the close end, they kissed each other, "said Nikos Economopoulos, head of the Greek Red Cross at Skai TV.

74 people died after the breakup of two forest fires on either side of the Greek capital, Athens.The death toll could increase as more people disappear, "said Stavroula Maliri, president of the emergency services, reports the AFP press agency.

The fires are the worst in a decade and have destroyed homes, forced people to flee and led to suspended roads.

Rescuers discovered a traffic jam in Mati City on Tuesday, with a number of cars broken down. These are probably people who have tried to escape the car fires.

LIFE REPORT:

The rescue service also found 26 dead on a popular beach in Mati, three miles east of Athens, many of whom were children. When they were found, they were close to each other. They were caught between two fronts of fire and smoke as they were trying to fly to the beach.

– They tried to find a way out, but unfortunately they did not know these people and their children in time. Instinctively, when they saw that the end was near, they kissed each other, "said Nikos Economopoulos, head of the Greek Red Cross at Skai TV.

Mati was hit hard by the fire which started at five o'clock on Monday afternoon and has since spread rapidly.

Danish tourists affected

The first fire broke out in a coniferous forest near the coastal town of Kineta, located 5 miles west of Athens, AP reports. At least 150 firefighters fought the flames, while five planes and seven helicopters took part in the extinction work

The fog was so thick that the roads between the Peloponnese peninsula were closed.

Many people are missing too. According to The Guardian, two Danish tourists were found in a boat on the coast at Rafina. Eight people from the tourist group are still missing.

More than 170 people were injured in the fires, including 11 seriously injured. More than 20 of the wounded are children but they should not have more serious injuries.

Residents of the coast near Athens were invited to leave their homes – as fires get closer to the busiest Greek highways and stop the railroad

– We do all that is in our power to defeat these fires. Tsipras in a statement

Mayor: saw 100 houses on fire

– One should only lock and leave their homes. You can not handle as much smoke for so many hours. Achillea Tzouvaras, fire chief, believes this situation is extreme

The second fire broke out on Monday afternoon in the Penteli area, northeast of the capital, before expanding to the city of Rafina. with hundreds of firefighters.

– I saw at least 100 houses on fire. I saw it with my own eyes, it is a complete disaster, says Evangelos Bournous, mayor of Rafina

Prime Minister Stefan Löfven presents his condolences to the Greek people via Twitter.

"Our thoughts are with the victims of the forest fires in Greece.The heroic deeds are carried out all over Europe.The cooperation of the EU at its best," writes Löfven

However, Major fires in Greece will not affect help given to Sweden, Interior Minister Morgan Johansson (S)

said on Tuesday – Until now, we have not been able to … 39 received no reports that this will affect aid to Sweden, says Morgan Johansson.

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July 24, 2018 2:53