Death toll from Greek fires reaches 74; resorts hit hard

RAFINA, Greece — The death toll from Greece’s deadliest wildfires in decades climbed to 74 Tuesday as rescue crews searched on land and sea for those who sought to escape the blazes near Athens.

The number of victims appeared set to go even higher, with crews checking charred homes and vehicles and the coast guard scouring beaches and deeper waters.

Fueled by 50 mph winds that frequently changed direction, the fires — one to the west of Athens near the town of Kineta and another to the northeast near the port of Rafina — spread at speeds that surprised many, trapping hundreds on beaches and cutting off escape routes.

All the casualties appeared to be from the fire near Rafina, a popular seaside area. The blaze broke out Monday afternoon, but the cause was not immediately clear.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras declared three days of national mourning. Although it had abated by Tuesday afternoon, the blaze was far from extinguished and more than 230 firefighters were still trying to put it out, helped by volunteers and water-dropping aircraft.

Twenty-six of the dead were found after dawn Tuesday in a compound near the sea about 30 miles west of Athens.

Heavy rain was forecast Wednesday across southern Greece, and there was hope that could help firefighters.