The cries for help pierced the choking smoke. Dozens of people bobbed in the sea, forced by the vicious flames into the water. Children held onto adults, and people who couldn't swim clung to those who could.
That was the scene confronting Tawefik Halil and other fishermen responding to the overwhelmed Greek coast guard's urgent call for help as the deadliest bushfires in decades raged through seaside resorts near Athens.
The 42-year-old Halil was among dozens of volunteers who helped save hundreds of people stranded on beaches and in the choppy waters, buffeted by gale-force winds.
"It was chaos, do you understand? Do you know what it's like to be in all that smoke, not being able to see anything and to have people asking for help?" Halil told AP today.
The fire razed holiday resorts east of Athens and killed at least 79 people. But more than 700 survivors were rescued by boat and taken to the port of Rafina through the night.