Death toll from wildfires near Athens rises to 80

ATHENS - Greek emergency crews recovered the bodies of five more persons on Wednesday, while an elderly man died in hospital, bringing to 80 the death toll from the wildfires near Athens, authorities announced.

An 84-year-old man who had earlier sustained extensive burns also passed away, the health ministry said.

At least 187 people had been injured, including a dozen in critical conditions, it added.

Still, an undetermined number of people remained missing since Monday afternoon when the blaze started in Mount Penteli on the Attica Peninsula, scorching seaside resorts and sending thousands fleeing.

The country has been in national mourning since Tuesday in the face of the deadliest tragedy caused by the wildfires in over a decade.

Over 2,000 houses have either been destroyed or damaged, according to the latest estimates by local authorities.

Hundreds of firefighters were battling the flare-ups in some areas in Attica on Wednesday.