Dozens of people are still missing as an Irish man separated from his wife while on their honeymoon if confirmed as the first Irish casualty.
An Irish groom honeymooning in Greece has died after being separated from his new wife as they fled from fires that have already claimed the lives of more than 80 people.
Brian O’Callaghan-Westropp and Zoe Holohan were married in Ireland just last Thursday and had traveled to the popular Greek town of Mati when the worst fires Greece has seen in over a decade broke out.
Ambassador confirms death of Irishman in Greek wildfires | https://t.co/9UkUV1pzWZ pic.twitter.com/DJK05h4S4Q
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) July 25, 2018
His family confirmed his death on Wednesday afternoon as his new wife recovers in hospital.
Brian O'Callaghan-Westropp, who died in Mati, had only married last Thursday pic.twitter.com/tcjhWrTZBW
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) July 25, 2018
"We are deeply saddened to confirm the death of our family member, Brian O’Callaghan-Westropp," the family said.
"The families would respectfully appreciate privacy at this time as we grieve and as Zoe makes her recovery.
"Funeral arrangement will be announced at a later stage."
Terrible and tragic news from Greece. Sending our condolences and solidarity to the family and friends of Brian O'Callaghan-Westropp and to all those who died and suffered from the wild fires in and around Mati https://t.co/fXDBqRtUmK
— Brendan Howlin (@BrendanHowlin) July 25, 2018
The couple is believed to have been traveling in a vehicle when they were forced to flee from the approaching wildfire. Holohan succeeded in escaping to a beach and is currently being treated in a hospital in Athens for non-life threatening injuries.
Read more: Aerial footage shows extensive damage caused by life-threatening Wexford beach fire
The devastating aftermath of Greece's wildfires — in pictures https://t.co/io56jJs2rJ pic.twitter.com/qmHfMhVrPU
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) July 25, 2018
Drone footage shows devastating aftermath of Greece wildfires https://t.co/AkfqcybPJM pic.twitter.com/2lTgBhz1dF
— TIME (@TIME) July 25, 2018
The forest fires have already claimed the lives of over 80 people, including a six-month-old baby and 26, apparently families, who were found huddled together near one resort and appear to have been caught trapped between the fires and cliffs.
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