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Fires prompt Greek national alert Fires prompt Greek national alert
(about 3 hours later)
A nationwide state of emergency has been declared in Greece, amid a rising death toll from raging forest fires. A nationwide state of emergency has been declared in Greece, amid a rising death toll from raging forest fires
Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis said the country had to "mobilise all means and forces to face this disaster".Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis said the country had to "mobilise all means and forces to face this disaster".
Officials say 46 people have died in the past two days and many others are thought to be trapped, as scores of blazes swept the Peloponnese region.Officials say 46 people have died in the past two days and many others are thought to be trapped, as scores of blazes swept the Peloponnese region.
Campaigning for the country's general election has been suspended. Analysts say the vote may have to be postponed.Campaigning for the country's general election has been suspended. Analysts say the vote may have to be postponed.
Arson suspected Blackened skies
The BBC's Malcolm Brabant, in Pyrgos, says radio stations are being inundated with calls from people in remote mountain villages saying they are surrounded by fire.The BBC's Malcolm Brabant, in Pyrgos, says radio stations are being inundated with calls from people in remote mountain villages saying they are surrounded by fire.
We are living through an unspeakable tragedy today Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis In pictures: Forest fires Witnesses tell of fire horror We are living through an unspeakable tragedy today Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis In pictures: Forest fires Witnesses tell of fire horror
Meanwhile, many bodies had been taken to a mortuary in the city of Patras.Meanwhile, many bodies had been taken to a mortuary in the city of Patras.
Our correspondent said relatives of the dead were sobbing quietly in the hospital corridors, waiting for a chance to identify their loved ones.Our correspondent said relatives of the dead were sobbing quietly in the hospital corridors, waiting for a chance to identify their loved ones.
Some 170 fires have raged across the country. Some of the worst were concentrated along an 80km (50 mile) stretch on the west coast of the Peloponnese to Mani in the very south of the peninsula. Almost 200 fires have been reported - there were about 70 new blazes during Saturday, while many others continued to burn from the previous day.
Officials have said they suspect some of the fires were started deliberately, and Mr Karamanlis pledged any culprits would be brought to justice. Strong winds have blown smoke and ash towards Athens 330km (206 miles) away, starting more fires and blocking out the sun over the capital.
Burnt-out houses
Officials say they suspect some of the fires were started deliberately, and Mr Karamanlis promised to bring any culprits to justice.
"No-one has the right to take human lives and destroy the environment... to destroy our country.""No-one has the right to take human lives and destroy the environment... to destroy our country."
The Greek government appealed to its EU partners for help, and so far France, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands have all promised assistance. Most of the dead came from villages near the town of Zaharo, on the west coast of the Peloponnesian peninsula.
In other developments: At least nine people are reported to have burnt to death in their cars as they attempted to flee the flames near Zaharo.
  • Two new fires broke out near Athens, forcing a road between the city and its airport to be closed
  • A monastery and homes were evacuated as flames closed in on the capital
  • Arson was suspected in several cases, with 20 new fires starting during the night, a fire department spokesman said
  • All top football matches were postponed on the opening weekend of the season
    • At least nine people are reported to have burnt to death in their cars as they attempted to flee the flames near the town of Zaharo, in the west of the Peloponnese.
    The Associated Press news agency reported that a car had crashed into a fire engine, causing a traffic jam from which people could not escape as the flames advanced.The Associated Press news agency reported that a car had crashed into a fire engine, causing a traffic jam from which people could not escape as the flames advanced.
    Zaharo, 330km (206 miles) south of Athens, seemed to be the centre of the disaster. Fire crews said they had found at least 30 bodies in villages near the town, as they searched burned out cars and houses. Fire crews said they had found at least 30 bodies in villages near Zaharo as they searched burned out cars and houses.
    "It's a tragedy," an eyewitness told Greek television. "I can see the burnt bodies of a mother holding her child in her arms. Further away there are more bodies. It's terrible.""It's a tragedy," an eyewitness told Greek television. "I can see the burnt bodies of a mother holding her child in her arms. Further away there are more bodies. It's terrible."
    Fire officials confirmed that a mother and her four children had perished, as had three firefighters.Fire officials confirmed that a mother and her four children had perished, as had three firefighters.
    'Astonishing speed''Astonishing speed'
    A local official close to the scene described it as horrific.A local official 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 Zaharo, Pantazis Chronopoulos."The situation is extremely dire... The speed with which this fire has been spreading is astonishing," said the mayor of Zaharo, Pantazis Chronopoulos.
    Fires have consumed hillsides in Taygetos, in southern Greece Fires burnt all through Saturday around Zaharo
    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.
    A hot, dry summer, with temperatures recently touching 40C (104F) has left much of the country vulnerable. A hot, dry summer, with temperatures recently touching 40C (104F) has made much of the country vulnerable.
    Friday and Saturday have been the deadliest days of a terrible summer spent battling forest fires, transforming what had previously been seen as predominantly an ecological disaster into a human one, our correspondent says. Firefighters have already battled ferocious fires this summer, but the current outbreak is thought to be the most serious for decades.
    Some 500 soldiers have been sent to affected areas and the Greek government has appealed to its EU partners for help.
    So far France, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands have promised to send firefighting aircraft.
    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.
    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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