Wildfires break out across Greece as opposition criticizes government fire management
Firefighters battled wildfires in central and western Greece on Thursday as strong winds hampered efforts to contain the flames, while the main opposition party criticized the government's wildfire preparedness.
One fire broke out near Kolymbada Beach in southern Skyros, burning low vegetation in an agroforestry area, according to local media.
Eight firefighters, supported by four fire engines and four firefighting aircraft, were deployed to the scene. Local authorities also provided water tankers and construction machinery.
A separate wildfire erupted near Agia Marina in the western regional unit of Ilia.
The Fire Service deployed 42 firefighters, including two specialized forest firefighting teams, along with 13 fire engines. Three aircraft carried out water drops, while local authorities provided tankers and heavy machinery.
SYRIZA questions wildfire preparedness
As firefighting operations continued, Nikos Pappas, secretary of the Central Committee of SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance, accused the government of failing to adequately prepare for the wildfire season.
Speaking to Greece's public broadcaster ERT, Pappas said European funding aimed at strengthening Greece's firefighting capabilities had not been fully utilized.
He alleged that planned purchases of firefighting aircraft, drones and helicopters had been abandoned and questioned government spending on forest-clearing projects.
Pappas called for greater transparency over wildfire prevention measures and the use of public funds, while also criticizing the reliance on leased firefighting aircraft.
He further claimed that some firefighting equipment remains unused despite trained personnel being available.
