Briefs | Greece: Tears, grief at memorial service for wildfire victims

Hundreds of people have attended a memorial service in the Greek seaside resort of Mati for the dozens who perished in a wildfire that devastated the area. Bishop Kyrillos presided over yesterday’s service at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, six days after the fire swept through and killed at least 86 people. In a message read out during the service, the Church’s Holy Synod said the burden of responsibility weighs upon everyone to avoid actions that hinder the protection of the environment. Dozens of volunteer divers kept searching the sea off Mati yesterday looking for the bodies of other possible fire victims.

Spain: Migrants rescued in the Strait of Gibraltar

Spain’s maritime rescue service says it has saved 123 migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea from North Africa. The service says it pulled the migrants from 12 different boats intercepted by rescue craft yesterday morning in the Strait of Gibraltar. The latest arrivals come after Spain rescued nearly 1,000 people attempting the perilous journey from African to European shores on Friday and Saturday. Spain has received over 20,000 migrants by sea in 2018.