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Greek forest fires reward offered Greek forest fires reward offered
(about 3 hours later)
A 1m euro (£678,000) reward has been offered to help catch the arsonists suspected of being behind Greek forest fires which have killed at least 60.A 1m euro (£678,000) reward has been offered to help catch the arsonists suspected of being behind Greek forest fires which have killed at least 60.
New fires continue to break out, with firefighters contending with 63 fresh blazes on Sunday in what officials called an "unprecedented disaster". Dozens of new fires continue to break out. Large swathes of Greece have been ravaged by the inferno since Friday.
The authorities have already arrested several people over the fires. Water-bombing aircraft from France, Italy and Canada are in action, with more international aid expected.
Ancient Olympia, birthplace of the Olympics, was also threatened but firefighters kept the site safe. Ancient Olympia, birthplace of the Olympics, was in danger on Sunday, but firefighters managed to keep it safe.
Culture Minister George Voulgarakis has arrived in Olympia to oversee the emergency effort. Culture Minister George Voulgarakis went to Olympia, in the Peloponnese region of southern Greece, to oversee the emergency effort.
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He said: "As you can see, the archaeological museum and the archaeological site, Olympia, is as it was.
See map of affected areas
"All the people, the firefighters, the policemen, the volunteers, they fought with the fire and the museum is as it was.""All the people, the firefighters, the policemen, the volunteers, they fought with the fire and the museum is as it was."
He added: "There is a big problem in the region, in the area. But the important [thing] is that the archaeological site will not have any problem." class="bodl" href="#map">See map of affected areas
Helicopters and fire engines The fires have gutted hundreds of homes, forcing thousands of villagers to flee and blackening hillsides.
The BBC's Dominic Hughes on the island of Evia, northeast of Athens, says several massive fires are burning in the thickly wooded hills and hot, dry winds are fanning the flames. On Sunday five bodies were found on the island.
Thousands of Greek firefighters are being supported by 20 water-bombing planes and 19 helicopters. At least 11 countries are helping Greece fight the fires with planes, helicopters and specialist firefighters.
Suspected arsonists
Nikos Diamandis, a Greek fire department spokesman, told the Associated Press news agency: "Fires are burning in more than half the country. This is definitely an unprecedented disaster for Greece."Nikos Diamandis, a Greek fire department spokesman, told the Associated Press news agency: "Fires are burning in more than half the country. This is definitely an unprecedented disaster for Greece."
The hill of Kronos, overlooking Olympia, was engulfed by fire In pictures: Greek inferno
Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis has declared a nationwide state of emergency.
The reward, put up by the Greek government, is for anyone providing information which leads to the arrest of an arsonist.The reward, put up by the Greek government, is for anyone providing information which leads to the arrest of an arsonist.
The hill of Kronos, overlooking Olympia, was engulfed by fire "The reward is set between 100,000 and 1m euros for every [act] of arson, depending on whether death or serious injury occurred and the size of the damage," a Greek government statement said.
A Greek government statement read: "The reward is set between 100,000 and 1m euros for every [act] of arson, depending on whether death or serious injury occurred and the size of the damage."
The fires could have been started as a way of getting around Greek law which forbids development on areas designated as forest land.The fires could have been started as a way of getting around Greek law which forbids development on areas designated as forest land.
Meanwhile in ancient Olympia, flames licked the edges of the original Olympic stadium and scorched the yard of the museum, home to one of Greece's greatest archaeological collections. At ancient Olympia, flames licked the edges of the original Olympic stadium and scorched the yard of the museum, home to one of Greece's greatest archaeological collections.
A fire brigade spokesman said that six planes, two helicopters, 15 fire engines and 45 firemen had participated in the effort to protect the site.
Fires also ravaged large parts of Greece, affecting the Peloponnese, areas around Athens and Evia island.
On Sunday five bodies were found on Evia, north of the capital, Athens.
Athens itself was shrouded in smoke that obscured the sun as several fires threatened the city's outskirts.Athens itself was shrouded in smoke that obscured the sun as several fires threatened the city's outskirts.
Foreign help Peloponnese worst hit
The rapidly advancing fires caught many people unaware. 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 unaware. Those who left the decision to flee too late were caught in their houses, cars, or as they stumbled through olive groves.
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.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.Another four bodies were discovered in the central Peloponnese region of Arcadia.
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. name="map"> Two youths were also detained on suspicion of arson in the northern city of Kavala.
Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis has declared a nationwide state of emergency and said the country had to "mobilise all means and forces to face this disaster".
Emergency workers and fire-fighting planes from other European Union countries have joined the battle against the fires, and more help is expected from countries outside the EU.
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