UPDATE 6 - Greece: Death toll from wildfires hits 74

UPDATE 6 - Greece: Death toll from wildfires hits 74

Attica region in state of emergency as residents forced to evacuate homes

UPDATES WITH DEATH TOLL

By Magda Panoutsopoulou and Furkan Naci Top

ATHENS (AA) - The death toll from Monday's wildfires on the east and west coasts of Greece’s Attica region has risen to 74, officials said Tuesday.

The two fires have injured more than 170, including at least 16 children, and forced hundreds of Greek residents to abandon their homes.

Evangelos Bournos, the mayor of Rafina-Pikermi, said the death toll is likely to reach three figures, adding that nearly 2,000 homes have been destroyed.

He had earlier said that 26 bodies were found on Tuesday, in the beach resort of Mati, east of Athens, which is located in Attica.

The coastal region on the western side of Attica, Kineta -- around 54 kilometers (34 miles) west of Athens -- was evacuated as fires broke out Monday afternoon in the forest in the Geraneia Mountains that surround the area.

Some casualties occurred when people were stuck in their homes or vehicles, or when they drowned in the sea while trying to escape the flames.

- Turkey offers help

A firefighting operation is underway with more than 600 firefighters and 300 engines striving to contain the flames, as the area is surrounded by pines, while Greece has asked the European Union for assistance.

The other big fire on the northeast side of Attica has forced local authorities to evacuate summer camps while hundreds more people have left their homes.

The thick smoke enveloping the sky above Attica is visible from many areas in the region.

The nation is mourning the lives lost, with flags at parliament flying at half-mast.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has declared three days of national mourning.

Tsipras cut short his visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina and returned to Athens.

A state of emergency has been declared in some areas by Governor Rena Dourou.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu telephoned his Greek counterpart Nikos Kotzias and expressed condolences for those who lost their lives.

Cavusoglu also told Kotzias that Turkey is ready to help with rescue and aid efforts.

Later on Tuesday, the Greek Foreign Ministry thanked Turkey and Macedonia for their offers of help.

The ministry expressed sincere gratitude to the foreign ministers of Turkey and Macedonia ''for their immediate response in offering aircraft to help extinguish the deadly wildfires in Attica".

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