Dozens dead as wildfires near Athens force people to flee into the sea

Euan McKirdy
By Elinda Labropoulou, Euan McKirdy, James Masters and Chris Liakos, CNN
Updated 1:39 AM EDT, Wed July 25, 2018
TOPSHOT - A firefighter tries to extinguish hotspots during a wildfire in Kineta, near Athens, on July 23, 2018. - More than 300 firefighters, five aircraft and two helicopters have been mobilised to tackle the "extremely difficult" situation due to strong gusts of wind, Athens fire chief Achille Tzouvaras said. (Photo by VALERIE GACHE / AFP) (Photo credit should read VALERIE GACHE/AFP/Getty Images)
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TOPSHOT - A firefighter tries to extinguish hotspots during a wildfire in Kineta, near Athens, on July 23, 2018. - More than 300 firefighters, five aircraft and two helicopters have been mobilised to tackle the "extremely difficult" situation due to strong gusts of wind, Athens fire chief Achille Tzouvaras said. (Photo by VALERIE GACHE / AFP) (Photo credit should read VALERIE GACHE/AFP/Getty Images)
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Athens CNN  — 

At least 74 people have died in the worst wildfires to hit Greece in more than a decade, with some residents forced to flee into the sea to escape the advancing flames.

Residents told of horrifying scenes as flames engulfed a seaside village, where the only way out for some was to run for the water.

Boats were mobilized in a hurriedly-organized rescue operation as the flames took hold on Monday night. Reuters reported that 696 people were picked up from beaches and 19 from the sea. Rescuers also retrieved four bodies from the sea.

The Greek fire service confirmed that 25 people were found dead close to the seaside resort village of Mati as they tried to escape the fires.

Firefighters and volunteers try to extinguish flames in Kineta, Greece, on Tuesday, July 24.
Firefighters and volunteers try to extinguish flames in Kineta, Greece, on Tuesday, July 24.
ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP/Getty Images
An injured woman is carried by a rescue crew in Mati on Wednesday, July 25.
An injured woman is carried by a rescue crew in Mati on Wednesday, July 25.
Thanassis Stavrakis/AP
Dinnerware destroyed by the fire is seen inside a house in the village of Neos Voutzas on July 25.
Dinnerware destroyed by the fire is seen inside a house in the village of Neos Voutzas on July 25.
Angelos Tzortzinis/AFP/Getty Images
A firefighting helicopter drops water in Kineta on July 24.
A firefighting helicopter drops water in Kineta on July 24.
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Asimina Psalti, 87, sits outside the remains of her burned house in Mati on July 24.
Asimina Psalti, 87, sits outside the remains of her burned house in Mati on July 24.
Thanassis Stavrakis/AP
Firefighters try to extinguish flames in Kineta on July 24.
Firefighters try to extinguish flames in Kineta on July 24.
Angelos Tzortzinis/AFP/Getty Images
An aerial view shows buildings destroyed in Mati on July 24.