At least 50 people have died and scores more injured as wildfires tore through woodland and villages around the Greek capital, Athens, officials said.
The death toll rose sharply on Tuesday after 26 bodies were found near the harbour town of Rafina, according to Red Cross workers and the region’s vice mayor, Girgos Kokkolis.
The official death toll from the fires stood at 50 by mid-Tuesday. The mayor of Rafina, however, said he believes the death toll “had already exceeded 60”.
“The number of dead is rising,” he added.
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras declared three days of national mourning.
According to officials, more than 150 people have been injured in the fires, which damaged structures, disrupted major transport links and sent people fleeing their homes.
Greece’s fire brigade said the intensity and spread of the wildfire in the coastal village of Mati, about 29km east of Athens, had slowed on Tuesday as winds died down, but it was still not fully under control. Mati is located in the Rafina region.
The fire department urged residents to report missing relatives and friends.