Greek fires rage after migrant tragedy near border

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Fires that have claimed 20 lives in Greece are still burning out of control in foothills near Athens and the Evros region near the border with Turkey.

Eighteen of those killed are thought to be refugees and migrants who crossed the border recently, hiding in forests north of the city of Alexandroupolis.

Greece has expressed its deepest sorrow for the deaths in the Dadia forest close to the Turkish border.

For five days, fires have burned near the city and west along the coast.

Firefighters are also trying to stop a fire spreading from the slopes of Mount Parnitha, to the north-west of Athens.

Their efforts are being hindered by strong winds whipping up the flames and searing heat of up to 40C (104F).

 

The victims were found on Tuesday by the fire service near a shack outside the village of Avantas, to the north of Alexandroupolis.

"Unfortunately, their stay in the Dadia forest proved fatal," said government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis, pointing out that the alarm had been raised in the area where they were found and evacuation messages had been sent on the mobile 112 emergency service.

 

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[Mr Derek]

Migrants everywhere. More evidence that migration needs to be clamped down on hard, for their own safety.