The government has announced a state of emergency
in two provinces |
The Greek government has appealed to the European
Union for assistance as wildfires, which have killed at least 27
people, continue to blaze.
Emergency services have been overwhelmed - with
more than 170 fires raging across the country.
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.
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.
Three firefighters were among a total of 21 deaths reported near
the town.
A local prefect close to the scene described it as horrific.
"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.
Scores of other people in the region have been taken to hospital
with burns.
The overstretched fire services are being helped by the
military.
Acting Interior Minister Spyros Flogaitis called on EU countries
"to send any help they can".
Incredible efforts
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.
More 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.
Our correspondent 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.
Mr Karamanlis is under considerable political pressure, as he
faces an early general election in three weeks' time.
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