The Greek government has declared a state of emergency following a series of deadly wildfires that have claimed the lives of at least 74 people and injured scores more this week
The fires have spread rapidly through southern Greece after starting in the Attica region around Athens, shutting down transport links and restricting access to much of the country
The authorities fear that the death toll may continue to rise as firefighters battle the blazes, and many people remain missing
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has declared three days of national mourning for the dead
The country is one of Europe's most popular tourist hotspots, attracting more than 27 million visitors in 2017
However, in the wake of the fires, the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has changed its guidelines on visiting Greece
Here's what you need to know about holidaying there:Fires The FCO warns that, while the fires have been confined to limited areas, "the impact has been high, with significant loss of life"
The department advises people visiting Greece to "keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of the Greek authorities in affected areas", but says that most trips, "including to Athens", should be unaffected
The US Department of State (DOS) has issued a security alert about the "multiple major forest fires on either side of the Greek capital"
"Local authorities urge residents to evacuate," the site says. Meanwhile, all visitors are being advised to verify their schedule with their airline about delays or cancellations, particularly at Athens' Eleftherios Venizelos airport, where low visibility due to smoke has disrupted flight plans
The FCO site adds: "If you've been affected by the wildfires and need consular assistance, you can call the British Embassy in Athens on +30 210 7272 600
If you're in the UK and worried about a British national in Greece, call the FCO on 020 7008 1500
" Other risks in Greece "Theft of passports, wallets and handbags are common on the metro and in crowded tourist places, particularly in central Athens," the FCO says
Car thefts are also a potential risk. The department advises holidaymakers to keep valuables out of sight in vehicles and to keep cars locked
Terrorism is not considered a problem in Greece. The country has suffered a limited number of small-scale assassination attempts on public officials and journalists by anarchist and revolutionary groups, but these are not viewed as a threat to the wider public, the DOS says
Nevertheless, the site recommends that visitors "exercise vigilance" around "tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities"
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