Greece/wildfires

Many of the wildfires ravaging Greece are believed to have been deliberately caused, an Athens minister said. The fires have killed at least 20 people and injured around 60 firefighters. The fires, which are ravaging northeastern Greece and the outskirts of the capital Athens, are spreading rapidly due to a combination of strong winds and temperatures of over 40 degrees, according to Reuters. Climate Minister Vassilis Kikilias said some of the fires raging near Athens were started by pyromaniacs. “What is happening is not only unacceptable, but despicable and criminal,” the Greek minister told Greek television. The European Commission says it has sent up to 250 firefighters and several firefighting planes to Greece from eight EU countries./ritzau/AFP