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Deadliest day for Greek wildfires Fires kill 15 in southern Greece
(about 3 hours later)
At least 15 people are feared to have been killed in southern Greece, on the deadliest day of wildfires this year. At least 15 people have been killed in southern Greece on the deadliest day of wildfires this year.
Officials were unable to enter some danger areas to confirm the toll as fires are still raging out of control. Officials are unable to enter some areas to check for further casualties as fires still rage out of control.
Among the fatalities was a volunteer fireman who suffered a heart attack as he tackled one of more than 100 blazes.Among the fatalities was a volunteer fireman who suffered a heart attack as he tackled one of more than 100 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.
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 DiamandisThe helicopters are operating whenever the weather conditions permit... the pilots are making incredible efforts Fire official Nikos Diamandis
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.
"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.
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 government has announced a state of emergency in the provinces of Lakonia and Messinia and has asked the European Union for aid.
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 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 get airborne 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 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.At nightfall they will be grounded and there is no sign of the winds dying down.
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.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.
A snap election has been called for next month - six months early - partly because the fires are denting the government's lead over the opposition Socialists in opinion polls. 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.