- Title: Greeks demonstrate over government's handling of fires
- Date: 9th August 2021
- Summary: ATHENS, GREECE (AUGUST 9, 2021) (REUTERS) VARIOUS TOP VIEWS OF PROTESTERS DEMONSTRATING OUTSIDE OF PARLIAMENT BUILDING IN ATHENS, POLICE LINED UP IN FRONT OF THEM VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS HOLDING PLACARDS AND BANNERS IN FRONT OF PARLIAMENT VARIOUS OF PROTESTER NIKOS LOUTOS AT DEMONSTRATION (SOUNDBITE) (English) PROTESTER NIKOS LOUTOS SAYING: "We are protesting against the government that has let all the country burn, because of profits before people. We are protesting because they give millions for buying warplanes and police and not for the fire brigade." VARIOUS OF PROTESTER SPEAKING INTO THE MICROPHONE (SOUNDBITE) (Greek) PROTESTER ANNA MITILINEOU SAYING: "There is a lot of rage in the public because they have not staffed the special forest fire brigade. The forest fire brigade puts out fires in the forests, not the regular firefighters, and they dismantled them, that is why we are burning." BANNER FLAG FLYING OVER PARLIAMENT WITH BANNER BELOW VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS IN FRONT OF PARLIAMENT POLICE WATCHING PROTESTERS PROTESTERS IN FRONT OF THE PARLIAMENT BUILDING LIT UP
- Embargoed: 23rd August 2021 20:22
- Keywords: Greece fires parliament protest
- Location: No-Data-Available
- City: No-Data-Available
- Country: Greece
- Topics: Disaster/Accidents,Europe,Wildfires/Forest Fires
- Reuters ID: LVA001EPK7DJB
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Athens parliament on Monday (August 9) over the government's handling of wildfires that have destroyed forests and properties across the country.
Demonstrators, from leftist groups and environmental organizations, critisized authorities for a lack of funding towards staffing special firefighting units, vehicles, and resources, as well as policies unfavourable towards the environment.
"We are protesting against the government that has let all the country burn, because of profits before people. We are protesting because they give millions for buying warplanes and police and not for the fire brigade," said protester Nikos
Loutos.
Wildfires have been burning in Greece for a week on the back of a prolonged heatwave, and as a UN report said on Monday global warming was dangerously close to being out of control.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis apologized on Monday for failures in tackling the devastating wildfires, as blazes continued on the island of Evia.
More than 500 fires have been burning across Greece, forcing the evacuation of dozens of villages and thousands of people, and there has been growing public anger at delays and breakdowns in the government's response.
Mitsotakis made a public apology and promised that mistakes would be identified and rectified, adding that forests destroyed by the fires would be restored and climate defenses be built up. He pledged compensation for those whose property was destroyed.
(Production: Fanny Brodersen, Deborah Kyvrikosaios) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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