In the past days, a series of devastating wildfires have swept through Greece, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. The fires, fueled by strong winds and dry conditions, have cast a thick shroud of smoke across the country and resulted in tragic loss of life. As of now, the death toll stands at 20 individuals, with 18 suspected migrants among the victims.
The most harrowing discovery came when rescuers stumbled upon 18 burned bodies in a hut within the Dadia national park, a site already engulfed in a massive forest fire. These individuals, suspected to be illegal migrants, were found near the village of Avas. The grim circumstances and the lack of reported missing persons have led authorities to believe they were attempting to remain hidden. In a separate incident, the body of another suspected migrant was found in the woods, his demise likely attributed to smoke inhalation.
It’s a grim reminder of the challenges faced by migrants who illegally enter Greece via the Evros border river, seeking passage to Central Europe. The Dadia forest area has become a makeshift hideout for these migrants, making them susceptible to the raging fires that have become increasingly common due to climate change.
The fires have not spared any part of the country, with blazes ravaging the north-eastern region as well as other areas. Firefighters and local residents have been valiantly battling the flames, but the sheer scale of the fires has stretched their resources to the limit. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized that preserving human lives is the utmost priority, with property and the environment taking a back seat.
As the flames rage on, international support has rallied to Greece’s aid. The European Union has dispatched additional firefighting aircraft and personnel from various member states, including Germany, Croatia, Sweden, and the Czech Republic. This gesture of solidarity highlights the unity of European nations in the face of natural disasters.
The Greek Civil Defence force has issued dire warnings of an extremely high risk of forest fires across the country due to the prevailing conditions. The ferocity of the fires is attributed to strong winds and squalls that propel the flames and hinder firefighting efforts. With the outlook for the coming days remaining grim, Greece continues to battle the fires with determination and resolve, hoping to bring these catastrophic blazes under control and prevent further loss of life and destruction.
EU’s support:
In a rapid response to the ongoing wildfire crisis in Greece, the European Commission has announced its commitment to providing additional firefighting resources to support the valiant efforts of Greek firefighters. As wildfires continue to ravage different areas of Greece, the European Union (EU) is stepping in to offer assistance on multiple fronts.
The EU’s swift mobilization of resources includes five rescEU firefighting airplanes strategically stationed across Croatia, Germany, and Sweden. These firefighting assets, along with a Blackhawk helicopter, a team of 58 skilled firefighters, and nine water tanks from Czechia, are en route to Greece as of today. This concerted effort is an addition to the aerial and ground resources that arrived from Cyprus and Romania to bolster Greece’s firefighting capabilities.
In the past two days alone, the European Union has successfully deployed a total of seven airplanes, one helicopter, 114 dedicated firefighters, and 19 specialized vehicles. These reinforcements are aimed at providing crucial support to Greek firefighters, volunteers, and law enforcement personnel who are on the front lines battling the extensive wildfires.
The EU’s Copernicus satellite mapping program has also been brought into action, generating two comprehensive maps of the affected areas. This vital information aids in strategic planning and resource allocation to effectively combat the wildfires.
To further facilitate coordination and communication, the European Commission is dispatching two Liaison Officers from its Emergency Response Coordination Centre to Greece. These officers will work closely with local authorities to ensure seamless collaboration between the EU and Greek response teams.
(With inputs from agencies)
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