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Death toll mounts in Greek fires Death toll mounts in Greek fires
(about 1 hour later)
Greek emergency workers continue to find the charred bodies of people burned to death by forest fires in the south of the country.Greek emergency workers continue to find the charred bodies of people burned to death by forest fires in the south of the country.
Early on Saturday the death toll stood at 37, after 20 bodies were found during the night and morning, firefighters said.Early on Saturday the death toll stood at 37, after 20 bodies were found during the night and morning, firefighters said.
Many were trapped in their cars as they tried to escape the approaching flames.Many were trapped in their cars as they tried to escape the approaching flames.
The prime minister called the situation "an unspeakable tragedy" and the government appealed to the EU for help.The prime minister called the situation "an unspeakable tragedy" and the government appealed to the EU for help.
Greek newspapers are calling the Peloponnese region a "crematorium", says the BBC's Malcolm Brabant in Athens. Greek newspapers are calling the southern Peloponnese region a "crematorium", says the BBC's Malcolm Brabant in Athens.
There were estimated to be more than 170 fires raging across the country, and a state of emergency was declared in the provinces of Lakonia and Messinia. The fires have been moving so fast that people have been cut off before they could escape. With emergency services overstretched, desperate residents and local officials called television and radio stations to appeal for help.
We are living through an unspeakable tragedy today Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis In pictures: Greek wildfiresWe are living through an unspeakable tragedy today Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis In pictures: Greek wildfires
A blaze flared in Athens itself overnight, but is now under control. There were estimated to be more than 170 fires raging across the country, and a state of emergency was declared in the provinces of Lakonia and Messinia.
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, our correspondent says.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, our correspondent says.
Family foundFamily found
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 near the town of Zahero, west of the Peloponnese.
The victims, driving near the town of Zahero, were surrounded by a wall of fire and could not break through. The Associated Press reported that a car had crashed into a fire engine, causing a traffic jam from which people could not escape as the flames advanced.
Fire crews said they had found 21 bodies in villages near the town, as they searched burned out cars and houses. Zahero seemed to be the centre of the tragedy. Fire crews said they had found at least 30 bodies in villages near the town, as they searched burned out cars and houses.
Among the dead were believed to be a mother and her four children who had been reported missing, and three firefighters.Among the dead were believed to be a mother and her four children who had been reported missing, and three firefighters.
A local prefect close to the scene described it as horrific.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.
Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis visited Zahero late on Friday, and told reporters: "We are living through an unspeakable tragedy today."Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis visited Zahero late on Friday, and told reporters: "We are living through an unspeakable tragedy today."
Six deaths were 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 were 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. 'Incredible efforts'
The overstretched fire services are being helped by the military. But hot, dry winds were expected to continue through Saturday, gusting up to gale force and fanning the flames.
Acting Interior Minister Spyros Flogaitis called on EU countries "to send any help they can". The winds hampered the use of fire-fighting planes.
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.Some helicopters have managed to take flight and their crews have been praised for heroism in the most difficult conditions.
Fires have consumed hillsides in Taygetos, in southern GreeceFires have consumed hillsides in Taygetos, in southern 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.
The overstretched fire services are being helped by the military, but our correspondent says troops do not seem trained or equipped for the task, and are no match for the intense flames.
Acting Interior Minister Spyros Flogaitis called on EU countries "to send any help they can".
A hot, dry summer, with temperatures recently touching 40C (104F) has left much of the country vulnerable. On the island of Evia, north of the capital, three villages were evacuated as a fire approached.
"If we don't stop this now there will be nothing left," said Sofia Moutsou, mayor of the town of Styra.
Our correspondent says the large number of deaths has transformed what had previously been seen as a predominantly ecological disaster.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.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.Mr Karamanlis is under considerable political pressure, as he faces an early general election in three weeks' time.
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the fires? You can send us your comments and experiences using the form below:Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the fires? You can send us your comments and experiences using the form below:
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