Fire victims’ relatives sue officials for negligence

The relatives of two people killed by Greece’s deadliest wildfire in decades have filed a criminal lawsuit against Greek officials for their response to the disaster.

The victims, two teachers aged 70 and 73, became trapped by the flames on 23 July as they attempted to flee their homes in Neo Voutza, a seaside area neighbouring the worstaffected area of Mati, north east of the Greek capital Athens.

Their burnt bodies were found a day later.

Around 90 people are believed to have died in the wildfire that, fanned by gale-force winds, decimated Greek seaside resort areas.

An exact death toll remains to be confirmed as coroners work to identify the remains of victims.

The fire department, which has been issuing the official death toll, said on Tuesday night that the bodies of 80 people, including four who died of their injuries in hospital, had been identified, while a further eight remained unaccounted for.