The Greek authorities discovered the bodies of 18 people suspected to be migrants in a forest ravaged by fires in northeastern Greece.

Fire Department spokesperson Yannis Artobios told Greek television on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, that the bodies were found in Dadia Park near the border with Turkey, a common entry point used by migrants.

Artobios also confirmed that "there is an ongoing investigation into the possibility that they are individuals who entered our country illegally," as there are no reports of missing citizens, explaining that the victims were found north of the city of Alexandroupoli.

The latest toll from the new wave of fires has reached 20 fatalities since the beginning of the week. On Monday, the body of a person suspected to be a migrant was found, along with the body of an elderly shepherd north of Athens.

The flames continue to spread in northeastern Greece, as well as on the islands of Evia and Kythnos, and in the Boeotia region (north of the capital), fueled by strong winds and temperatures nearing 41 degrees.

Fire services reported more than 60 outbreaks in the last 24 hours. Six countries have sent aid through the European Union's civil protection mechanism.

Fire service spokesperson Vassilis Fathrakogianis told ERT government television that around 120 firefighters from Cyprus, Romania, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Germany, and Serbia will assist in firefighting operations.