Greek fires continue for sixth consecutive day

Date: 29/08/2007 15:00

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The fires that have ravaged Greece continued for their sixth consecutive day on Wednesday, although according to authorities they had reduced in intensity.

The fires had been described as a 'national catastrophe' by Greece's president on Tuesday as they had affected approximately 6.2 million acres and killed at least 63 people.

Forests, homes, wild animals and livestock had all also been impacted on by the intense blazes sweeping across the country.

They had even reached the ancient city of Olympia, where some popular monuments and tourist destinations were under threat.

Arsonists are believed to have been behind the origins of the fires, and so far seven suspects have been arrested by Greek police.

Although the tourism industry is likely to be affected by the worst fires in recent Greek history, there are also supicions that tourism was behind the cause of the fires - with some arguing that developers had tried to get around Greek law that forbids development on areas designated as forest land and unavailable to be developed as resorts.

Greece has now pulled in help from abroad, calling in 55 Israeli firefighters and planes and helicopters from abroad in order to control the fires.

But the hot summer weather is making firefigting efforts a difficult task, local authorities reported.

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