Honeymoon tragedy for Irish newlyweds in Greek wildfires
■ Groom missing after couple fled from deadly blaze
FEARS are growing for a missing Irishman honeymooning in Greece after wildfires tore through a resort.
Brian O’Callaghan-Westropp became separated from his new wife as they both tried to escape the fires in the coastal town of Mati.
He married Zoe Holohan in Ireland last week, before the couple flew out to Greece over the weekend.
Ms Holohan, who works in the advertising department of the ‘Sunday World’ newspaper, has been hospitalised after suffering burns. However, her husband has not been found since they became separated in Mati on Monday.
The small community, a popular tourist resort around 30km east of Athens, has been among the areas worst hit by the devastating blazes.
At least 74 people have been killed, while dozens more have been injured.
The number of victims appears set to climb, with crews checking charred homes and vehicles, and the coast guard scouring beaches and deeper waters.
IRISH newlyweds celebrating their honeymoon in Greece have been caught up in the wildfire tragedy that left the country devastated.
Fears are growing for Brian O’Callaghan-Westropp, who has gone missing having become separated from his new wife as they tried to escape the fires in the coastal town of Mati.
He married Zoe Holohan in Ireland last week, before the couple flew out to Greece over the weekend.
Ms Holohan, who works in the advertising department of the ‘Sunday World’ newspaper, was hospitalised having suffered burns.
However, her husband has not been found since they became separated in Mati.
The small community, a popular tourist resort with Greek holiday-makers around 30km east of Athens, has been among the worst areas hit by the devastating blazes.
At least 74 people have been killed, while dozens more have been injured. However, this figure is expected to rise.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said that it was providing consular assistance to a number of Irish people who had been caught up in the wildfires which have spread in various Greek regions.
However, they would not comment on specific incidents in which Irish people were affected.
Mr O’Callaghan-Westropp, who lives in Dublin, has not been seen since becoming separated from his wife on Monday afternoon.
It is understood they were travelling in a vehicle when they were forced to flee due to an approaching wildfire.
Ms Holohan suffered burn injuries but managed to escape to a nearby beach. She was last night being treated in an Athens hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
Relatives were yesterday making their way to Greece after being made aware of the incident. They are expected to arrive in Athens today.
Colleagues of Ms Holohan at Independent News and Media (INM), which also publishes this newspaper, were left shocked and upset as news of the incident emerged yesterday.
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has said the country is “going through an unspeakable tragedy” and has declared a three-day national mourning period.
It is the worst incidence
of wildfire to hit the popular holiday destination in more than a decade.
President Michael D Higgins said that he wrote to the country’s president and expressed his condolences as well solidarity with Greece on behalf of the Irish people.
“I have today written to the President of the Hellenic Republic, HE Mr Prokopis Pavlopoulos, to express my sympathies with the families of those who lost their lives and livelihoods in the tragic fires in the Attica region.
“Following my visit to Greece and my meeting with him and the presidents of Italy and Portugal, I am very conscious of the resilience of the Greek people, who should be assisted by all of us in these difficult times.
“In the letter to President Pavlopoulos I offered, on behalf of the people of Ireland, our deepest condolences and our solidarity.”
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has also expressed his condolences with the people of Greece.
Mr Coveney urged Irish people in the areas affected to keep up to date with local media and to follow the advice of the Greek authorities.