Attica is in flames, people are being violently displaced and no one can predict where this drama will end…The government’s attempt to wash out criticism of the government is evident from the TV broadcasts where you hear about “great mobilization” which the residents of the affected or threatened areas do not see. A total failure in Greece’s fire prevention as 3.2 million acres burned since 2021.
Credit must be given to the firefighters, the crews, and the technical staff of the aerial firefighting means who this year again are called upon to fight the fires without any serious preparation.
This is not an afterthought; the problem was identified and made public months ago. The data journalists group from May 2024 published an investigation warning about what we are living in these hours.
The same journalist group revealed that in the three-year period 2021-2023, 3.2 million acres were burned throughout the Territory but the government issued a notice to reforest only 57,000 acres giving only 55 million euros.
All this at a time when a lot of money had been given to renting air assets of dubious utility and efficiency. “Nea Penteli, Palaia Penteli, Pampa Halandriou, Pampa Vrilissia are been evacuated”!
So, there is a fear that the fire will even spread to the urban fabric. In Chalandri? We are faced with a monument to the incompetence of the political leadership, and a political system that is by its very nature destroying the nation. – it is unthinkable!
The EU is not far behind the appalling mismanagement. In a remarkably weak response to calls from Greece for assistance. Ursula von der Leyen says “We stand with Greece as it battles devastating fires”.
The EU is sending support from its rescue fleet: two planes from Italy and a helicopter from France. Firefighting teams from Czechia and Romania are also being deployed. This is EU Solidarity in action.”
The EU is sending three firefighting planes to Greece—just 4% of its fire fighting fleet—to help combat the devastating wildfires. Meanwhile, Greece has 62 planes and still can’t cope. Is this really EU solidarity in action?
