From the Indo-Asian News Service and the Hindustan Times:
Raging wildfires in Greece have killed over 50 people and destroyed hundreds of houses as firemen were largely forced to wait for sunrise on Sunday before renewing the battle against the massive blazes.Coming from a western state as I do (Arizona), this cuts close to home. A wild fire death toll of over 50 people is simply horrendous.
Residents of the Peloponnese peninsula, in southern Greece and on Euboea island hunkered down for another night of horror Saturday as an early loss of daylight caused firemen to shut down helicopters and planes working to contain the blazes.
At least 190 fires were burning across the region, countless still uncontrolled.
Authorities fear that the death toll will rise as hundreds of people were trapped in remote villages encircled by flames on the Peloponnese peninsula.
Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis on Saturday declared a state of emergency and three days of mourning. Flags on all public buildings would fly at half-mast until Monday.
Karamanlis blamed arsonists for the horrors of the last few days as police arrested seven people in connection with the blazes. It could not be "coincidence" that the fires broke out in such a short time, Karamanlis said in televised remarks, adding that his government would do everything to bring the perpetrators to justice.
About 70,000 hectares of land and hundreds of houses have burned to the ground over the past three days, media reports said.
I wish the best for those poor people.
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