wildfires in greece have claimed the lives of 18 more people. their bodies were found in a forested area not far from the turkish border. work is under way to try to identify them. the fire service says they may be migrants. 0ur correspondent robin brant has the story. the heat is intense, the scale immense. since the weekend, around 40,000 hectares that s the size of manchester and birmingham combined has burned. winds turning turbines have also fanned the flames. and this morning, a horrific discovery. translation: in the wildfire of alexandroupolis, - in an on site inspection by the fire department, in the wider area of avantas, 18 bodies were found near a shack. locals said all that s needed now is prayers and rain. in the meantime, they do what they can. fire, only fire. that s what we could see, this man said. only fire. the wind was so strong. greece has struggled to contain
translation: it has reached the entire village, our own house up there, where the fire started, has completely burned down. there is nothing. fire, only fire, that s what we could see. the wind was so strong. high winds and soaring temperatures have created a perfect storm, and beneath the smoke, a terrible discovery in the forest charred bodies of those who may have been seeking a better life. so far, they are unnamed, their stories unknown. translation: in the wildfire - of alexandroupolis, in an on-site inspection by the fire department in the wider area of avantas, 18 bodies were found near a shack. the authorities believe the dead may have been migrants or refugees who entered greece illegally and were hiding out near a national park. there is a well trodden route here for those who cross over
from neighbouring turkey, desperate to reach european soil. many who call this area home will have nothing left to come back to. this is an increasingly familiar picture in parts of europe, a postcard from summer in our time. wildfires are not new in greece, but scientists warn they are worsening with climate change. so, in avantas, the bells toll a warning residents must go while they still can. we have been told tonight by a local coroner that the bodies of the 18 dead will have an autopsy is performed tomorrow. all 18 are male and he has said that two are young people, possibly children. the dna samples will be taken but the
extremely selfish and irresponsible. china is seriously concerned with japan s and the neck decision and firmly oppose such practice. solemn representations have been made to japan. 18 people presumed to have been migrants have been killed in a forest fire in greece, according to local authorities. their bodies were found in dadia forest near the turkish border. work is underway to identify the corpses which were found in two groups. a coroner and investigation team are heading to the scene. a popular migrant route runs through the region. our senior international correspondent orla guerin reports. it is an inferno and it s leaving little in its wake. firemen have been battling the flames night and day, but the wildfires are spreading. they ve come bearing down on avantas, a village where local people are counting their losses.