World

Greek fires: Blaze that killed 83 'caused by arson'

July 26, 2018 4:17 pm

Greece has “serious indications” that a fire that killed at least 83 people near Athens earlier this week was started deliberately, Citizen Protection Minister Nikos Toskas says.

The blaze broke out on Monday and hit coastal villages popular with tourists.

Some 60 people are still being treated in hospital, 11 in intensive care. Dozens more are missing.

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Earlier, rescue workers searching a cliffside in the seaside town of Mati found more human remains.

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A large number of the victims were caught close to the cliff as the flames spread rapidly, whipped up by winds as high as 120km/h (75mph). Many of the survivors were saved by the sea, but dozens of victims were unable to reach the water.