More than 30 forest fires raged out of control across southern Greece for a third day on Sunday, forcing the evacuation of dozens of villages and threatening ancient Olympia, site of the first Olympic Games.

The death toll reached 56 and was expected to rise as firefighters reached isolated mountain settlements in the western Peloponnese, the hardest-hit region. Most victims died trying to protect their homes or were trapped in cars as they fled from the blaze, police said.

Costas Karamanlis, Greek prime minister, declared a nationwide state of emergency and called a halt to campaigning for the country's September 16 parliamentary elections.

Responding to an appeal by Mr Karamanlis for international assistance, six European Union states and Israel on Sunday sent more than 30 water-dropping aircraft to bolster Greece's overstretched fire-fighting squadron, the foreign ministry said.

High temperatures and poor visibility because of dense smoke have slowed aerial efforts to contain the fires. More than 6,000 Greek soldiers have joined forestry service firefighters on the ground but most have little firefighting experience.


Strengthening winds brought flames within a few hundred metres of the ancient Olympic stadium and the archaeological museum, residents said.



Mr Karamanlis said in a television address on Saturday, a day when more than 70 serious fires were reported, that arson was suspected in a number of cases.

"So many fires breaking out simultaneously in so many parts of the country cannot be a coincidence. The state will do everything it can to find those responsible and punish them," he said.

Arsonists seeking to clear land for development are believed to cause most fires. While building in forest areas is banned, land may be re-classified after a fire, letting developers move in.