A wildfire that swept through a resort town in eastern Greece has left at least 50 people dead and over a 100 injured.

The fire broke out on July 23 in Mati village, some 30 km east of Athens and known as a popular retreat for tourists. The fast-moving blaze was fueled by a sweltering heat wave that had hit the city.

Hundreds of people had rushed to the sea to be picked up by passing boats when the fire closed in on the shore, with some trapped by the flames while escaping. The coast guard reported that the bodies of more than four people were later retrieved from the sea.

This video, shared by Giannis Labropoulos, shows the flames burning eerily close to both sides of the highway as drivers drove in low visibility due to the thick smoke. He and his wife were on National Road towards Athens when this was taken.

A huge fire going on the National road to Athens