ZAGREB, July 24, 2018 - Croatia's Defence Ministry is ready to send two firefighting planes to Greece to help in efforts to put out wildfires, the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

Croatia stands ready to send two Canadair CL-415 aircraft if the Hellenic Republic requests so, the statement said.

The decision to provide assistance to Greece was made by Defence Minister Damir Krstičević, after consultations with Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and with the consent of President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović.

Wildfires have broken out east and west of Athens due to high temperatures and strong winds, claiming at least 50 lives. A state of emergency has been declared in the Athens region.

The Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs said on Tuesday that there were no Croatian nationals among the victims.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has cut short his visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina to return to the country. He said that some of the fires might have been started deliberately. Tsipras has requested assistance from the fire and emergency services of neighbouring regions and the military.