Fears for Irish newlywed in Greek wildfires horror

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.

The couple tried to escape the fires in the coastal town of Mati, independent.ie is reporting.

Brian 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.

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.

Many people fled to the sea to try to escape the flames as they tore through towns near Athens stoked by high winds, reducing pine forests to ash and devouring hundreds of buildings.

Greek media have described the disaster as a "national tragedy", while Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras cut short a visit to Bosnia and announced three days of national mourning.

Some 187 people have been hospitalised, with 82 still being treated yesterday evening, including almost a dozen children, most of whom were in a "serious condition", the fire services said.

Residents and terrified holidaymakers were overtaken by the flames in homes, on foot or in their cars.

The charred bodies of 26 people, including small children, were discovered at a villa at the seaside resort of Mati, 40km northeast of Athens, said rescuer Vassilis Andriopoulos.

They were huddled together in small groups, "perhaps families, friends or strangers, entwined in a last attempt to protect themselves as they tried to reach the sea", he said.

Athanasia Oktapodi, whose home is surrounded by pine trees, said she first spotted the fire moving down the hill "and five or ten minutes later it was in my garden".

"I ran out like a crazy person, got to the beach and put my head in the water. Then the patrol boats came," said the 60-year-old.