Greece: Authorities Ask For International Help Amid the Wild Fires in the Country

At least 700 firefighters with 190 trucks, 17 aircraft and 15 helicopter tankers are operating in the vast area north and east of Athens ravaged by the fires.

Greek authorities asked this Monday collaboration of other European nations to deal with the great fire on the outskirts of Athens (capital), which reaches areas of the urban fabric in the north of the capital, continues to radiate uncontrolled and rapidly.

The spokesman for the Greek Fire Department, Vassilios Vathrakogiannis, stated that «a request has been made to the European Union (EU) Civil Protection Service to support Greece with air and ground means to fight the fire».

At least 700 firefighters with 190 trucks, 17 aircraft and 15 helicopter tankers are operating in the vast area north and east of Athens ravaged by the fires.

«At present, fire-fighting forces are fighting fronts in Daou Penteli, Old and New Penteli, Marathon towards Grammatikos, Dionysos and Patima Vrilission, while the situation has improved in Afidnes and Kaletzi», said Vassilios Vathrakogiannis.

He also stated that in response to our country’s request for assistance, submitted yesterday afternoon through the General Secretariat of Civil Protection to the European Civil Protection Mechanism, France has sent a helicopter which is expected to arrive today, Italy is sending two planes expected to arrive tomorrow and the Czech Republic is sending 75 firefighters and 25 vehicles, including nine tankers, which are also expected to arrive tomorrow».

«In addition, the assistance of Spain and Turkey is expected to end shortly», he stressed.

The fire caused tens of thousands to be evacuated and covers more than 40 kilometres. 

In the urban areas of Ano Vrilisia and Patima Jalandríu, firefighters concentrate their work that are located within the city center, approximately 13 kilometers northeast of the center, where several houses were impacted by the fire.

Local media also reported that both areas have been evacuated, including the communities of Nea Pendeli and Paliá Pendeli. In the first, the fire hit some houses as well as the village school.