Europe to help earthquake stricken Lesvos and Chios

The European Commission has expressed its solidarity with the people of Lesvos and Chios offering to help victims of the deadly 6.1 Richer-scale earthquake.

EU regional policy commissioner Corina Cretu said the Commission was already in contact with Greek authorities to offer all possible assistance and support.

Meanwhile 150 out of the 254 houses inspected so far by civil engineering crews in the village of Vrisa and other areas of Lesvos were declared uninhabitable, Infrastructure Minister Christos Spirtzis said on Tuesday during a press conference.

“Let me start by expressing my sympathy and solidarity with the people hit by this earthquake and of course I would like to say that the European Commission is ready to fully support Greece in this time of difficulty,” she said.

Cretu noted that she will be visiting the islands to meet with the local mayors to see what is happening, how the European Commission can help.

“I would like to say that out emergency centre from the European Commission is already in contact with the Greek authorities to assist the situation so I think my presence is a sign that the EU and EC are side by side with the Greek people, because we have the economic crisis, migration crisis and now this terrible earthquake, so we are in full support of the Greek population.”

Cretu will also be meeting with the Greek Prime Minister where a range of issues will be discussed including the emergency on the Greek islands affected by the earthquake saying the European Commission is ready to ‘’activate all the necessary instruments we have; the emergency centre, the civil protection mechanism if Greece needs it and of course our funds because we have to maximise the impact of our funds and we have to be sure that we ensure the economic development of the islands despite the difficult situation. So solidarity is our key word between me and the Greek Prime Minister,’’ added Cretu.