(AP-ANSA) - ATHENS - Greece's fire department says 49 people are confirmed to have died in forest fires that have swept through popular seaside holiday areas near the Greek capital.

Fire department spokeswoman Stavroula Malliri added that 156 adults and 16 children have been hospitalized with injuries.

Eleven of the adults are in serious condition. Malliri said Tuesday that strong winds have fanned the flames, with the fires spreading rapidly into inhabited areas, preventing people who are in their homes or in their cars from managing to flee.

Greece has requested firefighting help from the European Union, and Malliri said a military transport plane is arriving with 60 firefighters from Cyprus, while two water-dropping planes are expected from Spain. (AP-ANSA).

Greece:ambassador, Italians involved? Nothing's ruled out

In touch with Greek unit. Wilful misconduct would be horrific

(ANSA) - ROME, JULY 24 - ''We are in constant touch with everyone, especially with the Greek crisis unit, we cannot rule out anything''. That is what was Italy's ambassador to Greece Efisio Luigi Marras reported in a telephone call with Rainews24, with regard to potential involvement of Italian citizens in the fires occurred in Greece. Talking about the responsibility for these fires he cited ''the heat and the wind, but certainly everything must be verified - he added - because nothing can be ruled out, it would be absolutely horrific if what is supposed to have happened really occurred, but there is no certainty for now''. (ANSA).