Greece has declared a state of emergency over deadly forest fires

Firefighters, soldiers and local residents carry a hose as a wildfire burns in the town of Rafina, near Athens, Greece, July 23, 2018. REUTERS/Costas Baltas

Huge forest fires raging across Greece have killed at least four people and injured dozens more, forcing authorities to seek international assistance as they battle the flames.

A state of emergency was declared in parts of Athens, the country's capital, as coast guard boats headed out in an attempt to rescue dozens of people trapped on beaches by fire.

Hundreds of firefighters were battling a number of fires across the region and people have been told to leave their homes as authorities desperately try to bring the situation under control.

Gale force winds that frequently changed direction were hampering firefighting efforts on Monday.

Fire Service spokeswoman Stavroula Malliri said Greece had called on the European Union for assistance with aerial and ground support in helping battle the flames.

Health ministry and police authorities said at least nine people were hospitalised from injuries in the fires, with three reported in serious condition in intensive care.

At least for people were seen dead in the street of the village of Mati, east of Athens, that was ravaged by fire on Monday evening, Reuters reported.

Three major hospitals in the city were on standby in case of more fire victims.

"We are doing everything humanly possible to tray and tackle these fires," Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said in Bosnia as he cut short a visit there and returned to Athens.

"What concerns us is that there are fires occurring simultaneously."

People try to extinguish a wildfire burning next to a church in the town of Rafina, near Athens, Greece, July 23, 2018. REUTERS/Costas Baltas

The first major fire broke out in a pine forest near the seaside settlement of Kineta 30 miles west of Athens between the capital and Corinth.

At least 220 firefighters were on the scene while five water-dropping planes and seven helicopters helped to fight the blaze from the air.

Reinforcements were being sent in from across Greece.

The second broke out yesterday afternoon in the Penteli and Rafina areas northeast of Athens.

Local authorities said children's summer camps and a seaside resort for military officers were evacuated, while dozens of homes and cars were reportedly destroyed.

People watch a wildfire raging in the town of Rafina, near Athens, Greece, July 23, 2018. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis

At least three aircraft and a helicopter were battling the flames, along with more than 60 firefighters.

There was no official figure on how many people were evacuated overall.

The coast guard was sending five vessels to rescue people trapped on nearby beaches by the flames.

They said initial reports indicated about 80-85 people needed evacuation by sea.