Firefighters gain upper hand over Greek fires

Greek firefighters started to get to grips with countrywide forest fires yesterday after six devastating days, but warned that a coming heat wave could re-ignite the flames that have killed at least 63 people. While survivors queued for cash handouts,...

Greek firefighters started to get to grips with countrywide forest fires yesterday after six devastating days, but warned that a coming heat wave could re-ignite the flames that have killed at least 63 people.

While survivors queued for cash handouts, thousands of people rallied in Athens to protest at what they see as a feeble government response to the crisis, increasing pressure on Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis who faces re-election next month.

Both Greece's main parties have lost popularity since the fires started, and polls show the New Democracy party has a slight lead over the Socialist opposition PASOK ahead of the snap September 16 elections that Mr Karamanlis called before the fires.

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