Massive Wildfires burning across Greece by John Hammond
Around 37 people have been killed in ferocious wildfires across southern parts of Greece in one of the deadliest wildfire outbreaks to hit the country.
Emergency services have been overwhelmed with more than 170 fires spreading across the country. Huge fires raged out of control near Sparta, Corinth and Tripolis. The Greek government declared a state of emergency for parts of the southern Peloponnese, namely the provinces of Messinia and Lakonia. Thick black smoke could be seen for kilometres across the Gulf of Messina.
Near the town of Zahero in the western Peloponnese, nine people were burnt to death in their cars as they attempted to break through a wall of flames. Three firefighters were killed near the town as they battled the blaze. Many hotels and villages across the region were evacuated, with scores of people being taken to hospital for burns and smoke inhalation.
One of the largest blazes broke out yesterday and consumed over 18,000 acres of forest, olive groves and brush land in less than nine hours. The overstretched fire services have been helped by the military. Strong, gusty winds have been fanning the blazes and hampering fire-fighting planes from operating.
Temperatures in the mid 40s Celsius have parched many parts of Greece this summer creating perfect conditions for the blazes to spread. Many of the wildfires continue to burn.
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