Greece wildfires: death toll soars to at least 50
The worst forest fires to hit Greece in a decade have claimed the lives of at least 50 people near Athens as they attempted to flee the flames in cars or on foot, The Associated Press reported.
Authorities confirmed the death toll had risen after rescue crews reported finding the bodies of more than 20 people huddled closely together near a beach northeast of the capital, Athens.
Greece sought international help through the European Union as fires on either side of Athens left lines of cars torched, charred farms and forests, and sent hundreds of people racing to beaches to be evacuated by navy vessels, yachts and fishing boats, the source said.