Newlywed groom on his honeymoon confirmed as first Irish casualty in Greek fires

Dozens of people are still missing as an Irish man separated from his wife while on their honeymoon if confirmed as the first Irish casualty.

An Irish groom honeymooning in Greece has died after being separated from his new wife as they fled from fires that have already claimed the lives of more than 80 people.

Brian O’Callaghan-Westropp and Zoe Holohan were married in Ireland just last Thursday and had traveled to the popular Greek town of Mati when the worst fires Greece has seen in over a decade broke out.

His family confirmed his death on Wednesday afternoon as his new wife recovers in hospital. 

"We are deeply saddened to confirm the death of our family member, Brian O’Callaghan-Westropp," the family said. 

"The families would respectfully appreciate privacy at this time as we grieve and as Zoe makes her recovery.

"Funeral arrangement will be announced at a later stage."

The couple is believed to have been traveling in a vehicle when they were forced to flee from the approaching wildfire. Holohan succeeded in escaping to a beach and is currently being treated in a hospital in Athens for non-life threatening injuries.

Read more: Aerial footage shows extensive damage caused by life-threatening Wexford beach fire

The forest fires have already claimed the lives of over 80 people, including a six-month-old baby and 26, apparently families, who were found huddled together near one resort and appear to have been caught trapped between the fires and cliffs.