Almost 50 people have died in Greece’s worst wildfires in more than a decade.
The bodies of 26 people were found in a courtyard in the seaside village of Mati, the Greek Red Cross said this morning (July 24).
The country’s fire brigade confirmed an overall death toll of 49, with many of the dead reported to be young children.
The blaze which ravaged Mati, situated 18 miles east of Athens, was one of several that broke out across Greece following a sustained period of hot weather, prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency in the western and eastern parts of the Attica region.
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said "all emergency forces" had been mobilised to tackle fires in the area, with the Greek government asking other European countries for helicopters and additional firefighters.
The blazes are the worst to hit the country since those which hit the southern Peloponnese peninsula in August 2007, killing dozens.
In a travel alert for Greece, the Foreign Office said the impact of the wildfires had been high, "with significant loss of life".
The FCO said most visits to the country, including to Athens, were unaffected.
It advised tourists to keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of the Greek authorities in affected areas and urged those impacted by the wildfires to contact the British Embassy in Athens.
Greek authorities moved to evacuate residents and tourists stranded on beaches in coastal areas early this morning, The Telegraph reports.
Dozens of people scrambled into the ocean as the blaze raged close to the shore, and they were picked up by passing boats, according to the newspaper.
A search-and-rescue operation is being conducted for 10 tourists who fled one of the fires in a boat, officials say.
Nine coastal patrol boats, two military vessels and "dozens of private boats" assisted by army helicopters were mobilised to help those stuck in Rafina harbour.
There were several reports of missing persons, including tourists from Denmark who were said to have fled on a boat that was missing on Tuesday morning.
Greek authorities have urged residents to abandon their homes as the wildfire continues to burn.
As a result of the blazes, one of Greece’s busiest motorways has closed; train links have been halted and plumes of thick smoke hang over Athens.
In a statement, Abta said while the fires weren’t in a "main destination" for UK tourists, travellers were advised to exercise caution.
"People on holiday in the region are advised to monitor news reports and follow any advice or instructions issued by the local authorities, their travel company or their accommodation providers.
"Anyone due to travel imminently to the areas affected should speak to their travel company or accommodation provider.
"Abta is in contact with the authorities in Greece and we are monitoring the situation."