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| Greek fires threaten ancient city | Greek fires threaten ancient city |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| There are fears for the ancient ruins of Olympia, a world heritage site and home to the Olympic flame, as Greece's devastating forest fires close in. | There are fears for the ancient ruins of Olympia, a world heritage site and home to the Olympic flame, as Greece's devastating forest fires close in. |
| Water-bombing planes are trying to suppress the flames near the site, and nearby villages have been evacuated. | Water-bombing planes are trying to suppress the flames near the site, and nearby villages have been evacuated. |
| About 50 people have died since fires burst out on Friday. They are still burning and nearing villages in the south, on islands and near Athens. | About 50 people have died since fires burst out on Friday. They are still burning and nearing villages in the south, on islands and near Athens. |
| The Greek PM has implied that many fires were started deliberately. | The Greek PM has implied that many fires were started deliberately. |
| In a nationally televised address, Costas Karamanlis said: "So many fires breaking out simultaneously in so many parts of the country cannot be a coincidence. | In a nationally televised address, Costas Karamanlis said: "So many fires breaking out simultaneously in so many parts of the country cannot be a coincidence. |
| OLYMPIA An ancient Greek religious site dating back 10 centuries before ChristHome of the ancient Olympics, first held in 8th Century BCWas location of giant ivory and gold Statue of Zeus, one of seven wonders of the worldOlympics continued until banned by Roman Emperor Theodosius I in 394 ADStill home to Olympic flame | |
| "The state will do everything it can to find those responsible and punish them." | "The state will do everything it can to find those responsible and punish them." |
| A 65-year-old man has been charged with arson and murder relating to a fire which killed six people in Areopolis, in the far south of Greece. | A 65-year-old man has been charged with arson and murder relating to a fire which killed six people in Areopolis, in the far south of Greece. |
| Two youths were also detained on suspicion of arson in the northern city of Kavala. | Two youths were also detained on suspicion of arson in the northern city of Kavala. |
| Mr Karamanlis has declared a nationwide state of emergency and said the country had to "mobilise all means and forces to face this disaster". | Mr Karamanlis has declared a nationwide state of emergency and said the country had to "mobilise all means and forces to face this disaster". |
| Caught unawares | |
| "Fires are burning in more than half the country," fire department spokesman Nikos Diamandis said. | |
| "This is definitely an unprecedented disaster for Greece." | |
| The fire services said dozens of new fires had sprung up on Saturday, and a Nasa satellite picture showed numerous plumes of smoke, many in the west of the Peloponnesian peninsula. | The fire services said dozens of new fires had sprung up on Saturday, and a Nasa satellite picture showed numerous plumes of smoke, many in the west of the Peloponnesian peninsula. |
| A Nasa picture showed smoke from massive fires across Greece | A Nasa picture showed smoke from massive fires across Greece |
| "We're going to burn alive here," one woman told Greek television from the village of Lambeti, near the site of ancient Olympia. | "We're going to burn alive here," one woman told Greek television from the village of Lambeti, near the site of ancient Olympia. |
| She was echoing the fears of many Greeks, who heard horrifying news reports throughout Saturday of people being trapped by walls of flame. | She was echoing the fears of many Greeks, who heard horrifying news reports throughout Saturday of people being trapped by walls of flame. |
| The rapidly advancing fires caught many people unawares. Those who left the decision to flee too late were caught in their houses, cars, or as they stumbled through olive groves. | The rapidly advancing fires caught many people unawares. Those who left the decision to flee too late were caught in their houses, cars, or as they stumbled through olive groves. |
| Late on Saturday church bells rang out in the village of Kolyri near Olympia, warning residents to get out as soon as possible. | Late on Saturday church bells rang out in the village of Kolyri near Olympia, warning residents to get out as soon as possible. |
| At least 39 people were reported to have been killed in the worst affected region, around the town of Zaharo in the western Peloponnese, by a fire that broke out on Friday and quickly spread. Another four bodies were discovered in the central Peloponnese region of Arcadia. | At least 39 people were reported to have been killed in the worst affected region, around the town of Zaharo in the western Peloponnese, by a fire that broke out on Friday and quickly spread. Another four bodies were discovered in the central Peloponnese region of Arcadia. |
| Towns on the island of Evia were being evacuated on Sunday, with ferries carrying people to the mainland near Athens. | Towns on the island of Evia were being evacuated on Sunday, with ferries carrying people to the mainland near Athens. |
| "The fire is racing towards the town," a resident of the island town of Aliveri told Greek TV. | "The fire is racing towards the town," a resident of the island town of Aliveri told Greek TV. |
| This is complete hell. The front is 30km long and has now reached the first houses Petros FilippouMayor of Kalyvia, Athens In pictures: Forest fires Witnesses tell of fire horror | This is complete hell. The front is 30km long and has now reached the first houses Petros FilippouMayor of Kalyvia, Athens In pictures: Forest fires Witnesses tell of fire horror |
| "We are leaving or else we will burn to death. There is no one to help us," he said. | "We are leaving or else we will burn to death. There is no one to help us," he said. |
| Meanwhile Athens itself was shrouded in smoke that obscured the sun as several fires threatened the city's outskirts. | Meanwhile Athens itself was shrouded in smoke that obscured the sun as several fires threatened the city's outskirts. |
| Houses and industrial buildings in the suburbs of Keratea and Kalyvia were destroyed. | Houses and industrial buildings in the suburbs of Keratea and Kalyvia were destroyed. |
| "This is complete hell," said Kalyvia mayor Petros Filippou. | "This is complete hell," said Kalyvia mayor Petros Filippou. |
| "The front is 30km (19 miles) long and has now reached the first houses. That's it." | "The front is 30km (19 miles) long and has now reached the first houses. That's it." |
| 'I feel anger' | 'I feel anger' |
| Among many tragic stories to emerge, one that shocked many Greeks was that of a mother who burned to death with her four children. They died clutching each other. | Among many tragic stories to emerge, one that shocked many Greeks was that of a mother who burned to death with her four children. They died clutching each other. |
| "I feel deep grief for our dead," Prime Minister Karamanlis said in his address. | "I feel deep grief for our dead," Prime Minister Karamanlis said in his address. |
| "I feel deep pain for the mother who perished in the flames with her arms round her children. I feel anger - the same that you feel." | "I feel deep pain for the mother who perished in the flames with her arms round her children. I feel anger - the same that you feel." |
| The heatwave that has left much of Greece's countryside so vulnerable to fire was set to continue on Sunday. Winds were expected to be lower than in previous days, but still sufficient to fan the flames. | The heatwave that has left much of Greece's countryside so vulnerable to fire was set to continue on Sunday. Winds were expected to be lower than in previous days, but still sufficient to fan the flames. |
| Hundreds of firefighters are attempting to dampen the flames, with assistance from hundreds of soldiers. | Hundreds of firefighters are attempting to dampen the flames, with assistance from hundreds of soldiers. |
| EU countries responded to Greece's appeal for help, with France, Spain and Italy sending firefighting aircraft. Others sent helicopters, fire engines or firefighters. | EU countries responded to Greece's appeal for help, with France, Spain and Italy sending firefighting aircraft. Others sent helicopters, fire engines or firefighters. |
| 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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