·Firefighters saved the temples and stadiums of the birthplace of the ancient Olympics.
·Hundreds of houses have been burned and thousands of people have fled the fires.
·The government offered rewards of up to $1.36 million for help in tracking down arsonists.

    BEIJING, Aug. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- Firefighters backed by aircraft Sunday saved the temples and stadiums of the birthplace of the ancient Olympics from wildfires which took the death toll from Greece's three-day inferno to 60, media reported on Monday.

    Dozens of fires, from northern Greece to the tip of the Peloponnese peninsula in the south, destroyed forests and raced through towns and villages. Hundreds of houses have been burned and thousands of people have fled the fires, seeking temporary refuge in schools, hotels and regional health centers.

Burnt houses stud the village of Makinos, in the Zacharo area of Peloponnese. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)
Photo Gallery>>>

    On Sunday the government offered rewards of up to 1.36 million U.S. dollars for help in tracking down arsonists who it suggests have played a major role in Greece's worst forest fires in decades.

    Thick black smoke billowed over the well-preserved ruins of Olympia, on the Peloponnese. The blaze crept up a hillside, engulfing surrounding pine and cypress woods.

    Fire scorched the yard of the museum at Olympia, housing famous classical sculptures such as Praxiteles' Hermes, but planes, helicopters and scores of firefighters beat it back.

    In the wake of the unprecedented natural catastrophe, Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis Saturday evening declared a nationwide state of emergency and promised hefty financial assistance for fire-ravaged victims and regions.

    In expressing his personal "grief and rage" over the wildfires, Karamanlis said, "I am angered, as are all Greeks, by the fact that so many wildfires occurred in so many different parts. This is not a coincidence."

    Forest fires are common during Greece's hot, dry summers — but nothing has approached the scale of the last three days. Arson is often suspected, mostly to clear land for development. No construction is allowed in Greece in areas designated as forest land, and fires are sometimes set to circumvent the law.

(Agencies)

    

    Greek gov't announces emergency assistance for fire-ravaged areas

    ATHENS, Aug. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Greek government on Sunday announced a series of urgent measures for fire-ravaged areas of the country as well as individuals affected by the wildfires, including deferments on payments to social security funds, extra pension and unemployment bonus.

    Pensions to eligible members of families of victims were announced during an urgent press conference by some ministers.

A fireman tries to approach burning houses in Smerna village, in the Zacharo area of Peloponese. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)
Photo Gallery>>>

Death toll rises to 52 in Greek Peloponnese wildfires

[World] Iran inaugurates "smart bomb" production line
[China] China to enact law to deal with rising number of labor disputes
[Business] Bank of Beijing sets to issue 1.2 bln A shares
[Science] Chinese students talk with ISS astronaunt
[Sports] Netherlands claim first ever title at FIVB Grand Prix
[Entertainment] "Superbad" again tops box office as Hollywood ending record summer season
[Picture] Man suspended on hooks at Tattoo Expo