Greece PM apologises for 'failures' as fires continue to burn out of control

Greece's Prime Minister has apologised for failures in combatting the catastrophic wildfires which have engulfed the country.

Thousands have been forced to flee their homes and dozens of properties have been destroyed in the fires on Evia, a large island to the north and east of Athens.

The island has been on fire for a week.

"We may have done what was humanly possible, but in many cases it was not enough," Kyriakos Mitsotakis said.

"I completely understand the pain of our fellow citizens who saw their homes or property burning."

He added Greece is facing a natural disaster of "unprecedented" scale due to the climate crisis, reports the BBC. 

His government has been facing criticism over delays and breakdowns in firefighting efforts - including a lack of water-dropping planes. 

Mitsotakis said any perceived failures will be identified but went on to say firefighters were doing their best, battling the blazes with "supernatural powers that often exceed their strength".

More than 580 fires have broken out across Greece since July with the island of Evia being hit the hardest.

Three people have been killed in the blazes and several others hospitalised with burns and smoke inhalation injuries.