Greek government defends response as Evia wildfires burn for eighth day

·

A political scuffle has begun in Athens as frontline personnel work around the clock to battle wildfires for the eighth day running on Tuesday.

The main political opposition party SYRIZA in Athens has blamed the government for using climate change as an excuse to cover up deficiencies in its handling of the crisis. 

“Climate change is, without doubt, an especially dangerous reality. However, it cannot be used as an excuse by the government because it ignored our warnings and those of scientists,” SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras told reporters.

Deputy Civil Protection Minister Nikos Hardalias jumped to the government’s defence, telling reporters the state apparatus did all it could in the face of the worst heatwave in 30 years.

“Do not shoot the fighters in the hour of battle. Every home lost for us is a stab in the heart,” Hardalias said. 

“The losses we suffered involved fighters, not civilians.” 

Deputy Civil Protection Minister Nikos Hardalias (right) jumped to the defence of the Government following Opposition leader Alexis Tsipras’ (left) comments (Left: Michael Kappeler—dpa/Corbis) (Right: via xronos.gr)

The government announced relief measures – including compensation and tax exemptions – for those who have lost homes and property, but that wasn’t enough to quell the concerns of residents in villages of high risk. 

“Police came and told us to evacuate the village of Avgaria but we cannot, this is our property. We cannot let our homes burn,” said Ioannis Aggelopoulos, 55, who owns a car body shop at Istiaia in the epicenter of Evia’s wildfires. 

“We have been sleeping in shifts.”

586 wildfires broke out in eight days.

Other fronts in the Peloponnese have also reignited, and authorities ordered the evacuation of 20 more villages in the region of Arkadia.

Almost 1,000 firefighters, nine aircraft and 200 vehicles have been sent to Greece from other European countries to help. 

One volunteer firefighter has died and three others have been hospitalised. 

Residents used hoses to put out fires burning near their homes and helped firefighters and volunteers.

“They’re the ones who saved the village today,” one elderly resident said, pointing to a team of Slovak firefighters tackling flames in a forested area.

“It’s a huge fire, it’s not easy to get it under control,” said the crew’s team leader, Peter Kovalik.

“We are doing our best.”

The Athens National Observatory estimates that about 65,000 hectares have been burned in total as of Sunday. 

Dozens of villages and thousands of people have been evacuated. 

Source: Reuters 

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

The Governor Olive Oil: Tradition, innovation, and science

Corfu has a deep-rooted olive oil tradition, but in 2010 its oil had the worst reputation in Greece, and production was about to stop.

Seminar with Dr Jim Vadolas: The changing landscape of thalassaemia care

In Australia, thalassaemia is more common among people with Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Southeast Asian heritage.

Greek Health Ministry issues warning: 13 Attica areas off-limits for swimming

The Greek Health Ministry has published an updated list of coastal areas in Attica where swimming is forbidden due to poor water quality.

Greece to open first specialised dementia centre in October

Greece will soon inaugurate a new specialized dementia center, created to respond to the growing burden of cognitive health issues.

Greek Community of Melbourne and NUGAS host Youth Forum Night

The Greek Community of Melbourne and NUGAS hosted their first Youth Forum on Wednesday, August 27. Read more here.

You May Also Like

Nia Vardalos’ adaptation of ‘Tiny Beautiful Things’ comes to Queensland

Queensland Theatre will bring Nia Vardalos’ (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) hit adaptation of Cheryl Strayed’s "Tiny Beautiful Things."

Turkey files protest with Greece and the US over armoured vehicles on Aegean islands

Turkey has summoned Greece and protested to the US after accusing Greece of deploying armoured vehicles on two Aegean islands.

Rosemary Franzidis’ husband speaks out as third person charged in relation to fatal crash

A third individual has been charged as police continue their investigation into the tragic death of 69-year-old Rosemary Franzidis.