SPANISH emergency response workers have been helping out with the Greek forest fire that has already destroyed the picturesque town of Mati, close to Athens, and killed 74 people.
Last night (Monday), Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras sent out an appeal to countries across Europe, and Spain and Cyprus were the first to respond.
Israel, Bulgaria, Germany, Poland, France and Italy followed suit and Tsipras has received calls from Council of Europe chairman Donald Tusk and European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker pledging their support.
Spain has been assisting with tackling the blaze and in the rescue operations, but Greece has now cancelled its international request as weather conditions are improving and it appears the inferno may be closer to being contained.
Spanish president Pedro Sánchez has since tweeted: “I have had a conversation with @PrimeministerGR, Alexis Tsipras, to offer all possible support from the Spanish government in dealing with the tragedy Greece (#Grecia) is goimg through. Spain remains at the Greek people's disposition via the European mechanisms and the Civil Protection.”
The worst wildfire in Greece in living history, the flames have destroyed thousands of homes and emergency workers and volunteers have been subjected to extremely distressing and tragic sights.
Mothers cradling their young children have been found dead in the charred wreckage of their homes and on Argyri beach in Mati, east of Athens.
Bodies of entire families clinging to each other have been seen on the sands 30 metres from the sea closed to a heavily-frequented restaurant.
Numerous cars completed burnt out, with their occupants still inside them – having perished as they tried to drive away from the area – are stacked up along the road in Argyra Akti, near Nea Makri in Attica.
Walls of flames have been stretching along the north-east coast of Athens since early Monday.
Five people who ran into the sea to escape the blaze have been rescued by lifeboat.
Latest reports show 187 people have been injured, suffering burns, smoke inhalation or being wounded in the crush to get away – 11 of whom are in a critical condition – but this figure is rising all the time and is now likely to be higher.
Greek emergency services have been dealing with calls around the clock from residents worried about missing family members and friends.
Most of the 74 – so far – who have died either perished in their cars trying to escape, or trapped in their houses, and some drowned after jumping into the sea.
A MAN declared dead at his home in the province of Tarragona was on his way to the funeral parlour when he turned out to be alive, according to police sources.
A NEW child protection law named after a British musician living in Spain has been approved in Congress and is set to be signed off by the Council of Ministers on Tuesday, June 8.
