The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-08-24

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] World Media Cover Athens Wildfires

The devastating wildfires in NE Attica made the headlines worldwide, with the world's largest television networks offering a full coverage.

The New York Times and CNN of the USA, BBC and Guardian of Britain, Le Figaro of France, El Pais of Spain, Die Zeit of Germany and ANSA, the Italian news agency are some of the world media that are covering the blazes ravaging the northeastern suburbs of Athens.

The fires are burning the northern suburbs of Athens for four days running, damaging houses and forcing thousands of residents to flee their houses, read the New York Times.

Fanned by gusty winds, the wildfires caused huge damage in 14 suburbs, reducing thousands of square metres to ashes in Penteli, the last natural frontier protecting the Greek capital, continued the paper.

CNN network reported that although exhausted, the Greek firefighters are operating with determination.

Greece declared a state of emergency, since the blazes are menacing Athens, read British paper Guardian. Thousands of Greeks are battling to save their houses from the fires that are raging out of control, while the government has declared a state of emergency and mobilized the army, said Guardian.

Thousands of people living in the northern suburbs of Athens spent yet another night in the countryside, as the flames are burning menacingly, reported BBC, adding that the fires caused a huge ecological disaster.

Fires were at the gates of Athens, read French magazine Express on its website. Hundreds of firefighters keep battling the blazes, which are burning forestland at the gates of Athens, threatening the suburbs of the Greek capital and forcing several residents to flee their homes,â stressed the French magazine.

Greece is on fire, said French paper Le Figaro, further adding that France sent four water-bombers upon Greece's request.

ANSA said that things are improving in the flame-hit Athenian suburbs.

The weakening of the winds stopped the blazes from moving towards the Greek capital and helped firefighters to contain the fires, claimed the Italian news agency.

âFire and panic on the outskirts of Athens!â read Spanish newspaper El Pais, stressing that the flames are engulfing the Greek capital.

The wildfires are still burning the northern suburbs of Athens, stressed German paper Die Zeit, underlining, the situation remains dangerous, as there are hundreds of fires, which, fanned by the winds, are turned into huge walls of fire consuming everything on their way.

News item: 26086

[02] Damage Assessment Begins

The Public Works Ministry will start assessing the damage caused by the devastating wildfires that hit Attica. It will dispatch its crews to the flame-hit areas on Tuesday, while the School Building Organization (OSK) will start assessing the damage caused in the area's school complexes.

In collaboration with the Prefecture of Eastern Attica and the municipalities of the flame-hit regions, the Public Works Ministry recorded the villages and towns stricken. Flash estimates speak of about 150 houses damaged.

On Tuesday, thirty Public Works Ministry crews will start recording the damage caused in the houses of the fire-stricken area. The campaign is believed to run through the end of the week.

OSK on Standby

News item: 26084

[03] Admission Grades Come Out Tuesday

Grades for admission to tertiary education will be released Tuesday at 1000 hours, said the Education Minister.

The Greek national broadcaster, ERT, will broadcast the admission grades shortly after 1000 hours. At the same time, they will be posted on ERTonline:http://www.ert.gr/exams. The results will also be posted on the website of the Education Ministry.

News item: 26079

[04] Archbishop of Athens Visits NE Attica

His Beatitude Hieronymos II, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece visited Monday morning the flame-hit areas of NE Attica, which is under a fire onslaught, and got a close view of the damage made. He met with local leaders and the monks of the monasteries evacuated.

In his statements, he termed the environmental disaster as a tragedy and called for unity. âThese tough hours, we have to be as one, as a family,â said he.

In a telephone contact with Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos, Hieronymos expressed his concern over the disaster and offered his heartfelt sympathy with the fire-hit people. He then assured that the Church of Greece will offer its help whenever necessary.

News item: 26076

[05] Power Supply Disrupted

PPC crews are working to restore power in the flame-stricken areas of Varnavas. Rodopoli, Dionysos, Penteli, Grammatiko, Kalentzi, Vrana and Souli. About 62 power stations in Attica were out of order. A total of 70 crews consisted of 230 experts have been dispatched in the fire-hit areas.

News item: 26075

[06] Porto Germeno & Karystos Threatened

Of all the blazes raging across Greece, the most dangerous is the one ravaging the coastal resort of Porto Germeno. The gusty winds blowing in the area allowed only helicopters to operate. Port vessels are their way to Porto Germeno to help its residents flee the area.

When the blaze started threatening the built-up area, an evacuation notice was issued. However, several residents refused to abandon their houses, while others took refuge to the beach.

Speaking on NET radio station, Vilia Mayor Panagiotis Roussis stressed that the four water bombers sent in the area could not operate due to the strong winds.

Wildfires in Karystos, Skyros and Zakynthos

The fires in Karystos, Metohi and Aitos are still in progress.

Speaking on NET radio station, Karystos Mayor Spyros Platymessis complained that all efforts have been focused on Attica and called for air forces.

New Blaze on Chios Island

Earlier, a new fire broke out in the area of Kamaroti on Chios Island. As per flash estimates, no built-up area is under threat.

News item: 26073

[07] Day 3 of Fire Onslaught in Athens

Greek ground and air forces are facing another day battling wildfires threatening northeastern Attica. Efforts are being focused on the town of Pikermi. The Pikermi Mayor spoke of âhell,â also adding that a fire tanker was burnt. Deputy Public Order Minister Christos Markogiannakis is on his way to Pikermi. In the seaside resort of Nea Makri, the blaze is menacing the village of Anatoli, while an Orthodox monastery was evacuated. The fires in the northeastern suburb of Dionysos have been brought under control, said Mayor Spyros Dardamanis. Wildfires in coastal resort Porto Germeno and Karystos are also in full swing. A new blaze broke out on Chios island.

Reigniting Feared

Nea Makri Mayor Iordanis Loizos said there are enough ground forces in the area, yet repeated reigniting makes things tough.

Things in the town of Marathonas, where the village of Avra was evacuated, are improving.

However, several blazes are still burning throughout northeastern Attica.

Wildfires across Greece

News item: 26072

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article