Firefighters battle Western Attica blaze for fourth day
Firefighters continued battling a major wildfire in Western Attica for a fourth consecutive day on Monday, with hundreds of personnel working overnight to contain multiple active fronts amid difficult conditions.
Operations focused on creating firebreaks with heavy machinery and preventing the flames from spreading around the village of Agios Nektarios in Attica and the Kandyli area near Megara.
Authorities issued a 112 emergency alert early Monday ordering the evacuation of the settlements of Skepi, Kandyli and Botsika toward Nea Peramos.
A total of 450 firefighters, supported by 126 fire engines, 22 specialized forest firefighting teams, volunteers and water tankers, remained deployed overnight. Firefighting aircraft and helicopters resumed water-dropping operations at first light.
Traffic restrictions remain in place
Police maintained extensive traffic restrictions across Western Attica as firefighting operations continued, with multiple provincial roads leading to Porto Germeno, Alepochori, Psatha and surrounding areas remaining closed to facilitate emergency operations and ensure public safety.
Government launches support measures
The Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Ministry said procedures have begun to provide state assistance to residents affected by wildfires in Attica, Boeotia and other regions.
Damage assessment teams will begin inspections in the affected municipalities this week, while authorities have informed local governments about emergency financial assistance, including support for basic living expenses and the replacement of essential household items.
The ministry said additional specialist personnel will be deployed to speed up damage assessments and the distribution of financial aid.
Mitsotakis pledges rapid compensation
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said state support teams would move quickly to assess damage and provide assistance to those affected by the fires.
In his weekly address, Mitsotakis said the wildfires, fueled by gale-force winds, had created exceptionally difficult conditions that at times prevented firefighting aircraft from operating safely.
He praised firefighters, volunteers, civil protection personnel, members of the armed forces and local authorities for their efforts, while paying tribute to three firefighters who lost their lives during the operations.
The prime minister said protecting human life remains the government's top priority, followed by safeguarding property and forest ecosystems, and stressed that prevention remains the most effective tool against increasingly severe wildfires.
Source:AMNA
