Mary Jane 49
08-28-2007, 06:14 AM
Thousands of Greeks threatened by towering walls of fire fled their homes on Monday as strong winds fanned blazes that have devastated the country and killed 63 people in four days.
Greek authorities dispatched helicopters to winch trapped people out of blazing hamlets, impossible to reach by land, while EU allies rushed to help. Greece's worst fires in decades showed no sign of abating, with dozens raging unchecked from the southern Peloponnese to Athens and the northern town of Ioannina.
"We are burning... Please help us. Where are the helicopters?" a man screamed hoarsely into his mobile phone from the village of Frixa, trapped in flames.
Greek authorities dispatched helicopters to winch trapped people out of blazing hamlets, impossible to reach by land, while EU allies rushed to help. Greece's worst fires in decades showed no sign of abating, with dozens raging unchecked from the southern Peloponnese to Athens and the northern town of Ioannina.
"We are burning... Please help us. Where are the helicopters?" a man screamed hoarsely into his mobile phone from the village of Frixa, trapped in flames.