Desperate families trying to reach the safety of the sea were trapped by walls of smoke and flame. Others died in buildings or cars.

A firefighter tries to extinguish hotspots during a wildfire in Kineta, near Athens, Greece

After the 26 bodies were found in an open space, Nikos Economopoulos, head of Greece’s Red Cross, said: “They had tried to find an escape route but unfortunately these people and their kids didn’t make it in time. Instinctively, seeing the end nearing, they embraced.”

Dimitri Piros, director of medical services for Ekav, Greece’s nationwide ambulance service, told the BBC people had suffered horrific injuries because of the speed of the fire.

Firefighters across Greece have been battling more than 146 wildfires for the last four days across

The blaze struck like a flamethrower, he said, causing both smoke inhalation and skin burns.

Coastal patrol boats and private vessels picked up hundreds of those who did manage to reach harbours or beaches.

“Thankfully the sea was there and we went into the sea, because the flames were chasing us all the way to the water,” said one survivor, Kostas Laganos.

People watch a wildfire in the town of Rafina, near Athens

“It burned our backs and we dived into the water… I said: ‘My God, we must run to save ourselves.'”

George Vokas, whose family escaped by sea but whose house and cars were burnt, told BBC News that two women he had tried to help had died.

“We’re talking about a biblical catastrophe in this wonderful area of Mati,” he said.

Residents take refuge on the beach as a wildfire burns on the mountain

Charred bodies lay just 15m (50ft) from the sea, photographer Pantelis Saitas told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency. At least 150 people were injured in the area.

READ ALSO:

Dozens dead in Attica region Greece wildfires

Indian Prime Minister Modi in Uganda for a Two –Days visit

The post As it happened in Mati first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

Flames blown by strong winds distressed the seaside village of Mati, devouring homes and cars.

The coastguard said it and other ships rescued almost 700 people who had fled to the coast, and pulled 19 survivors and four bodies from the sea.

The fire fighters trying to fight fire

A local mayor told the BBC there are fears the death toll could rise to 100.

Mati is located in the Rafina region which is popular with local tourists, especially pensioners and children attending holiday camps.

Rescuers there found the bodies of 26 adults and children, who had apparently hugged each other as they died, trapped just metres from the sea.

A state of emergency was declared in the Athens metropolitan area

Rafina’s Mayor Evangalos Bournos told the BBC the village had “disappeared”.

He said more than 1,000 buildings had been destroyed or damaged – his own home among them. Hundreds of firefighters have been battling the blazes and the authorities are seeking international assistance.

A fire brigade official confirmed the latest death toll. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has declared three days of national mourning.

READ ALSO:

Indian Prime Minister Modi in Uganda for a Two –Days visit

President Museveni to attend Bebe Cool’s concert

The post Dozens dead in Attica region Greece wildfires first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.