At least 15 people died and thousands of acres (hectares) of forest were consumed in fires racing through Greece's Peloponnese peninsula on Friday as southeast Europe experienced a resurgence of summer blazes. Six bodies were found near the town of Areopolis, 190 km (120 miles) southwest of Athens, including two French tourists and two firefighters, the fire brigade and police said. Authorities were evacuating the town and nearby villages.Nine more people were found dead near Zakharo, on the west coast of the peninsula, at least six of them in cars, a fire brigade official said.
Dozens of other Greek villages asked for help, from the west coast of the Peloponnese to the region of Mani, 80 km (50 miles) further east, as the fires were spread by strong winds. Aircraft and helicopters were being deployed against the flames.
The government announced a state of emergency in Lakonia and Messinia provinces and asked for help from the European Union.
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