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15th Aug 2018

Wife of Irish man killed in Greek fire ‘to miss his cremation’ at home this week

Zoe Holohan is still recovering from the fire.

Anna O'Rourke

Wife of Irish man killed in Greek fire 'to miss his cremation' at home this week

The body of Irish man Brian O’Callaghan Westropp is to be flown home from Greece this week to be cremated.

Mr O’Callaghan Westropp died in a wildfire that killed dozens of people near the capital city of Athens last month.

He had been on honeymoon with his new wife Zoe Holohan, having been married in Ireland the previous week.

She survived the blaze but has been recovering in hospital in Greece since, having suffered serious burns.

With her husband set to be cremated later this week in a private ceremony, it is thought that Ms Holohan is not well enough to return home for the occasion.

Wife of Irish man killed in Greek fire 'to miss his cremation' at home this week

A second service will be held when she does recover, reports The Sun.

The newlyweds, who were staying at the popular coastal resort of Mati, became separated as they attempted to flee their hotel during the fire on 23 July.

Mr O’Callaghan Westropp was reported missing and was found in the sea nearby several hours later.

Ms Holohan is expected to make a full recovery.

Up to 94 people died and dozens more were hospitalised over the fire.

The Greek government has blamed arsonists for starting the blaze, which quickly spread in the intense heat of one of the hottest summers in living memory in Europe.

“We have serious indications and significant findings of criminal activity concerning arson,” said Public Order Minister Nikos Toskas.