Greek PM apologizes for 'weaknesses' in handling of fires, pledges financial support

Record ID: 1631347

  • Title: Greek PM apologizes for 'weaknesses' in handling of fires, pledges financial support
  • Date: 9th August 2021
  • Summary: EVIA, GREECE (AUGUST 9, 2021) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF FIREFIGHTING PLANES DROPPING WATER ON FIRE ON EVIA ISLAND
  • Embargoed: 23rd August 2021 18:39
  • Keywords: Greece Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis fires
  • Location: ATHENS AND EVIA, GREECE
  • City: ATHENS AND EVIA, GREECE
  • Country: Greece
  • Topics: Disaster/Accidents,Europe,Wildfires/Forest Fires
  • Reuters ID: LVA007EPK7CQV
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis apologized on Monday (August 9) for failures in tackling devastating wildfires that have burned across the country and said he had approved a supplemental budget of 500 million euros ($587 million) to fund relief and compensation for people who have lost homes and property.
    "The extent of the destruction, especially in Evia and in Attica, blackens all of our hearts, and I am the first to apologize for whatever weaknesses existed. I completely understand the pain of our citizens, who saw their houses and property burning, the upheaval of having to abruptly leave their homes, " Mitsotakis said in a televised address.
    Fire-fighters on the ground and from the air were still battling to halt wildfires on Evia island. Strong winds fuelled flare-ups while water-bombing aircraft struggled to operate because of the large plumes of smoke blanketing the area.
    Mitsotakis said possible failings would be investigated as angry Greeks are criticizing the government's response to the devastation, saying there was a lack of fire-fighters and resources.
    "The last days were the most difficult for our country in decades. We have been fighting and still are fighting a battle with all our forces but we are facing a natural disaster of unprecedented dimensions," he said.
    He said citizens who lost homes and property would be compensated and the burned areas would be reforested, adding that authorities had to deal with 586 wildfires "in all corners of Greece" in just days, amid a heatwave and dry conditions.
    "It is obvious that the climate crisis is now knocking on the door of the entire planet, with fires that last weeks. This is a reason, but it is not an excuse, nor an alibi, and I will say it clearly, we may have done whatever is humanely possible, but in many cases this did not appear to be enough in the unequal battle with nature," said Mitsotakis.
    (Production: Vassilis Triandafyllou, Deborah Kyvrikosaios, Marco Trujillo)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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