Tragedy struck in northeastern Greece as the bodies of 18 individuals, believed to be refugees, were discovered in a forest that had been engulfed by a raging wildfire. The fire, which had been spreading near the national park of Dadia, is suspected to have been started deliberately.

Authorities are investigating the possibility that these individuals were unregistered migrants who had crossed the border and were evading detection by hiding in the forest.

The discovery of these bodies brings the death toll from this week's wildfires in Greece to a total of 20, with one more suspected asylum seeker found dead on Monday and an elderly shepherd found dead north of Athens. The fires have been fueled by the hot, dry, and windy conditions, which have led to dozens of wildfires breaking out across the country.

The most severe fire has been burning for four days and has now reached the northeastern port city of Alexandroupolis. In response to the escalating situation, six countries have offered their assistance through the European Union's civil protection mechanism.

Cyprus, Romania, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Germany, and Serbia are sending a total of 120 firefighters to help combat the fires. The affected regions, including the wider Athens area, have been classified as having an "extreme" fire risk level, prompting authorities to ban public access to mountains and forests and order military patrols.

Greece has a history of destructive wildfires during the summer months. The deadliest wildfire occurred in 2018, where 104 people lost their lives in a seaside resort near Athens. Since then, authorities have taken a more cautious approach, issuing prompt evacuation orders whenever inhabited areas are threatened.

Meanwhile, wildfires continue to pose a threat in other parts of Europe. In Italy, 700 people were evacuated from homes and a campsite on the island of Elba due to a fire. Spain has been battling a wildfire on the island of Tenerife for a week, with 12,000 people forced to evacuate. Cooler temperatures and weaker winds are now aiding firefighters in bringing the blaze under control.

In France, authorities have advised mountaineers to delay scaling Mont Blanc due to the heatwave and increased risks of rockfalls. The record-breaking heatwave in Europe, caused by a stable high-pressure weather system known as a "heat dome," has led to all-time high temperatures in some areas. As the continent continues to grapple with these extreme weather conditions, authorities are working tirelessly to combat wildfires and ensure the safety of residents and visitors alike.