AN IRISHMAN caught up in the Greece wildfires while on honeymoon in the holiday resort of Mati has passed away, it has been confirmed.
Brian O’Callaghan-Westropp and his wife Zoe Holohan were travelling in a vehicle when they became caught up in the fires.
Ms Holohan, who managed to escape to a nearby beach, is recovering in hospital from burns to her head and hands.
She is expected to make a full recovery.
I am deeply saddened at confirmation of the death of an Irish citizen in Greece. This is such a terrible tragedy, my thoughts are with the families and friends who have requested privacy.
Officials at our Embassy in Athens will continue to provide every possible assistance.— Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) 25 July 2018
A statement from the families of the couple, who were wed last Thursday, was issued through the Department of Foreign Affairs.
“We are deeply saddened to confirm the death of our family member, Brian O’Callaghan-Westropp,” it said.
“The families would respectfully appreciate privacy at this time as we grieve and as Zoe makes her recovery.
Terrible and tragic news from Greece. Sending our condolences and solidarity to the family and friends of Brian O'Callaghan-Westropp and to all those who died and suffered from the wild fires in and around Mati https://t.co/fXDBqRtUmK
— Brendan Howlin (@BrendanHowlin) 25 July 2018
“Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later stage.”
The Dublin-based couple married in Ireland last Thursday before travelling to Greece on Saturday for their honeymoon.
Mourning
At least 80 people are believed to have died in the fires, which have swept through the Attica region since Monday.
The first fire was in the beach town of Kineta, 30 miles west of Athens, followed by blazes in Penteli and Rafina, which encompasses Mati, to the east of the capital.
An aerial view of Mati after the town was hit by fire (Image: Getty)Yesterday Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras declared three days of national mourning in memory of those who perished.
Simon Coveney, Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, has asked Irish citizens affected to contact the Irish Embassy in Athens on +30 210 723 2771 or his department on +353 1 408 2000.
