Greek wildfires: Irish newlyweds among those still missing as survivor hunt continues

The search is underway for survivors of Greek forest fires that have claimed the lives of more than 70 people.

Officials in Greece say 74 people have died so far, with a further 164 adults and 23 children still being treated in hospitals for injuries after the fires broke out near Athens.

Those missing are believed to include Irish newlywed Brian O’Callaghan-Westropp who was honeymooning with wife Zoe Holohan near Mati, about 30 kilometres east of Athens, and near the port of Rafina, after their wedding last Thursday.

The pair got married at Clonabreany House in Kells, Co Meath, last Thursday before flying to Greece for their honeymoon on Saturday.

Ms Holohan, who works in advertising for the Sunday World, is in hospital after suffering burns to her head and hands, but her husband has not yet been found.

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The couple, who live in Dublin, were travelling in a vehicle when they were forced to flee.

Ms Holohan was able to escape to a nearby beach and was admitted to hospital on Tuesday night.

Government officials said they are providing help to a number of Irish people caught up in the wildfire.

One of the fires began to the west of Athens near the town of Kineta, with another starting to the north-east near the port of Rafina.

Both were fanned by gale-force winds that have hampered firefighting efforts and sent hundreds of people fleeing to beaches, where they were evacuated by boat late at night.

In Mati, 26 of the dead were groups of families or friends found huddled together. Others swam out to sea to escape the inferno and some never came back.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras declared three days of national mourning for those killed as officials feared the death toll could rise even further.

Greek authorities have urged the public to contact them if they are looking for loved ones and many people have taken to social media, posting pictures of those they were looking for and their last known location before the fires struck.

Firefighters are tackling the remaining areas in the two main blazes near the capital, helped by water-dropping aircraft.

Greece has also sought international help through the European Union and Spain is sending two firefighting aircraft while Cyprus has sent in 60 firefighters. Israel, Turkey and Bulgaria have also offered assistance.

It is hoped that heavy rain forecast across southern Greecewill boost the firefighting effort.