AMN / Athens
Toll due to Greece’s worst wildfire reportedly have gone up to 84. Large-scale fires erupted at 2 locations around the capital, Athens, on Monday. A recent heat wave has pushed up temperatures to near 40 degrees Celsius.
The fire in the resort town of Mati, about 30 kilometers east of Athens, spread quickly to coastal areas, blown by strong winds.
The Greek government says in addition to the 84 dead, the fires have so far injured about 190. Nearly 100 others are said to be missing.
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said in a televised speech on Tuesday that the country is going through an unspeakable tragedy. He declared 3 days of national mourning.
The fire in Mati is subsiding. But flames are flaring up again in forests to the west of Athens. The government is urging local residents to evacuate.