Greece is on fire…
Greece is on fire fam pic.twitter.com/gpxBV5yCqt
— Zo (@g0rilla_zo) July 24, 2018
As of the latest press briefing, the Greek Fire Service reported the number of dead from the devastating Athens wildfires has surged to at least 76.
The number of injured is 164 adults and 23 children. Ten of the adults were in intensive care units in Athens hospitals.
However, as KeepTalkingGreece.com reports, there is total confusion about the number of missing – unconfirmed information speak of 50 people, other claims of 100 missing.
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras declares period of national mourning for dozens of people killed by wildfires.
“But we mustn’t let mourning overwhelm us, because these hours are hours of battle, unity, courage and above all solidarity,” he said. https://t.co/NxNzzocROA pic.twitter.com/v8qZvN2fZn
— ABC News (@ABC) July 25, 2018
The fire broke out in the forest area by Daou on Penteli mountain at 5 o’ clock Monday afternoon.
By a wind blowing with average intensity of 9 Beaufort and occasionally of up to 11 Beaufort, the fire inferno moved quickly from the mountain Penteli eastwards.
Survivors of the wildfires have described how they were forced into the sea by a blaze that “struck like a flamethrower”.
“The flames were chasing us all the way to the water,” said one victim.
A Very Sad Day For #Greece
And Humanity
Many Have Died Due To The Devastating Wildfires, Smoke And More Have Drown To Flee Into The Ocean So Not To Get Burned #PrayForGreece pic.twitter.com/OVWjF7BSqo
— S.C (@cns6720) July 24, 2018
Meanwhile, the bodies of 26 adults and children who apparently died hugging each other were found close to the sea.
Rescue teams continue search in settlements and villages on the coast of North-East Athens.
They go door to door or to what left from houses that have been burned down searching for people, hoping to find somebody alive.
But reality is harsh.
The blaze left behind nothing but ashes…
Incredibly high temperatures were developed in the inferno on Monday.
Walked next to cars that got caught last night into the wildfire in Mati, East Attica, Greece. The heat was so intense that the aluminum around the wheels melted. I have never seen anything like it… https://t.co/OwTHFZAQ30 pic.twitter.com/Ob6QTPO3bo
— Stratos Safioleas (@stratosathens) July 24, 2018
Reports speak of 1000s of houses and 100s of cars that were burned down.
30 cars in a row torched by fire at Mati, east of Athens #Greece #Πυρκαγια pic.twitter.com/PUGiVlnWQa
— Derek Gatopoulos (@dgatopoulos) July 24, 2018
The Greek Air Force released video footage from the wildfires in North-East Athens (East Attica) and Kineta (West Attica. Flames and smog at land.
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras declared a 3-day National Mourning for the victims.
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