The European Union have significantly boosted firefighting operations to aid Greece in the battle against the wildfires raging around the country, it was reported on Tuesday night.
According to amna.gr, European Commission spokesperson, Balazs Ujvari, said on Tuesday, “The EU remains at the disposal of the Greek authorities if there is need for more assistance.”
“We deploy almost 1/3 of the aircraft we have in the rescEU fleet. This means that we are sending seven firefighting aircraft and one helicopter to Greece, mainly to the northwest of the country.
“They are from Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany and Sweden,” Mr Ujvari has confirmed.
Last month, during the first wave of forest wildfires, the EU responded immediately to Greece’s activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, deploying nine planes, 510 firefighters, and 117 vehicles to aid in the escalating wildfires throughout Greece.
For the second time, Greece activated the EU protection on Monday, reported Mr Ujvari, as new devastating wildfires burn in different areas of the country.
Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarcic, said in a statement: “Greece is witnessing an unprecedented scale of wildfire devastation this summer and in such trying times the EU’s swift assistance is vital.
“Today, we can see the real-life significance of having doubled our rescEU aerial firefighting fleet for this wildfire season.”
Ms Lenarcic extended appreciation to Croatia, Czechia, Germany and Sweden for their support in aiding the Greek firefighters who have been battling the wildfires for the second blaze to spread around the country.
“The EU maintains its commitment to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Greece in the face of these devastating wildfires.”
Germany and Sweden have sent two Air Tractors, which landed in Greece on Tuesday. Croatia sent a CL-415 water bomber which also landed.
The Czech Republic has sent a Blackhawk helicopter which is expected to land in Greece tonight.
In addition, 56 Romanian firefighters with 10 fire engines have been helping Greece battle the fires since Monday August 21, as well as Cyprus who have sent two Air Tractors, reported amna.gr.
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