Major wildfires on either side of Athens are raging out of control, with at least 74 people reported dead. People evacuated to beaches and into the sea, where coast guard boats struggled to rescue them.

At least 74 people have been killed and 170 injured as the deadliest wildfires in Greece in more than a decade swept through seaside areas near Athens.

Two major forest fires started burning out of control on both sides of Athens on Monday, with Rafina to the city’s east, and the other at Kineta, to the west, being the hardest hit areas.

What we know so far:

• Many people attempting to escape the fires fled to nearby beaches to be evacuated by navy vessels, yachts and fishing boats.
• A number of people are believed to have died after having swum out to sea to avoid flames and smoke.
• The Red Cross reported finding 26 bodies huddled tightly together in the courtyard of a villa at the seaside resort.
• Four other fires were burning in other parts of the country, including near Corinth and on the island of Crete.
• Hundreds of firefighters are tackling the blazes.
• The fires had largely abated by Tuesday afternoon, but were not out.
• Hundreds of homes and cars have been destroyed.