Wildfires: Greek PM cuts visti to Brussels short

Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, is returning urgently from Brussels, due to the fires that have broken out in the last two days in Eastern Attica, Dervenochoria and Loutraki.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis was in Brussels for the Summit of the European Union with the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. He decided to return earlier than planned due to the fire fighting on three fronts.

Immediately after his arrival in Athens, the Prime Minister will go to the Coordination Center for Civil Protection Operations.

Damage recording

Yesterday the Prime Minister assured from Brussels that the recording of the damages will be undertaken immediately by the State.

“I want to assure all our fellow citizens who were damaged by these fires that the state apparatus immediately after extinguishing the fires will be fully prepared to record the damages so that our fellow citizens can be compensated as quickly as possible “, the prime minister emphasized, among other things.

The on the spot checks and the first records of the damage caused by the fire in buildings and businesses have already started this morning by the services of the General Secretariat for Natural Disaster Recovery and State Aid of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, in collaboration with the Region of Attica, but also the Municipality of Saronikos, following a relevant permit from the Fire Brigade.

According to the announcement of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, six groups have undertaken the task of checking and recording the damage in the entire area affected by the great fire of July 17.

The aim is, as pointed out, “for the process of autopsies, recording and assessment of damages to proceed at the usual rapid pace to be followed – with corresponding speed – by the implementation of the measures of the state aid framework for those affected by the fire”.

On the fronts

At the moment, the most difficult place where the fire brigade is working is in Dervenochoria. The fire front has not stopped burning in a very difficult place, a dense virgin forest, with firefighters fighting to stop the fire from reaching Magoula, Mandra and Elefsina in Attica. In the meantime, the fire is raging in Oinoi. The strong winds make the work of the Fire Authorities difficult.

The settlements of Panorama, Agia Sotira, Paleochori and Pournari are being evacuated with the residents being instructed to move towards Mandra.

In Loutraki, there was a great resurgence, with the situation being extremely difficult in Panorama.