Greece’s civil protection minister has resigned over the government’s response to the wildfires last month that killed 88 people, according to the office of the prime minister, Alexis Tsipras. Tsipras was under pressure to sack members of his administration after the fires at the small coastal resort of Mati on 23 July, the deadliest in Greek history.

Nikos Toskas had previously offered to resign after the disaster in the small seaside town of Mati east of Athens, but Tsipras refused to accept it. On Friday, Toskas reiterated his desire to resign during a meeting with Tsipras, the statement said.

There have been recriminations over what led to the deaths of dozens of people in Mati, east of Athens, where hundreds of people were trapped by towering walls of flame while attempting to flee. Many jumped into the sea to survive, but others died either in their cars or when they were trapped on the edge of steep cliffs by the rapidly advancing inferno.

In a statement, Toskas said: “This natural disaster, and the loss of so many people in Mati, overwhelms my desire to continue. This is something I had stated publicly from the first moment. I have strived all my life to defend this country and its citizens,” added Toskas, a retired army general

The death toll rose to 88 on Friday when a 35-year-old woman died from her injuries. Her six-month old baby, the youngest victim, had died in her arms from smoke inhalation as they tried to escape the flames.

Greek authorities say they suspect the fire was started deliberately. Arson is thought to be a frequent cause of forest fires in Greece, a crude method to clear the way for potential development.

Toskas’s duties have been assigned to Panos Skourletis, the country’s interior minister.