Greece wildfires: Brits caught up in devastating blaze that claimed at least 70 lives near Athens

Twenty six of the dead were believed to be groups of families or friends who were found huddled together, some of them hugging.

Many tourists and residents fled towards the coastline with some swimming out to sea, braving rough currents to escape the flames.

Andreaas Passios, who lives next to the compound, said: "Everything happened in seconds.

"I grabbed a beach towel. It saved my life. I soaked it, grabbed my wife and we ran to the sea."

Mr Passios said he and his wife stayed by the sea for two hours.

"It was unbelievable. Gas canisters were exploding. Burning pine cones were flying everywhere."

More than 400 firefighters and volunteer firefighters are battling the two fires near Athens, supported by seven water-dropping helicopters and three aircraft.

Greece sought international help from the European Union.

Spain is sending two firefighting aircraft while Cyprus was sending in 60 firefighters. Israel and Turkey have both also offered assistance.

The country's prime minister Alexis Tsipras has declared three days of national mourning for those killed in the deadliest fire season to hit Greece in more than a decade.

The Foreign Office has advised that travellers keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of the Greek authorities in affected areas.

Forest fires are common in Greece during the hot, dry summers, and temperatures recently reached up to 40C.

In 2007, more than 60 people were killed when huge fires swept across the southern Peloponnese region.

Additional reporting by PA.