Greece’s Prime Minister on Thursday called for significant changes and upgrades to the state mechanism in responding to emergencies following the Mati fire tragedy.
Tsipras said the two tragedies in Mandra and Mati should serve as a trigger for significant changes and that “must suitably boost the prevention and protection mechanism so that we never live again similar tragedies."
"Given that climate change will bring us closer more often to extreme weather phenomena, such as strong winds and rainfall, we ought to upgrade the model and protocol of civil protection against floods and fires," he said.
The Greek premier also announced that he sought the advice of two scientists and academics, Christos Zerefos and Efthymios Lekkas, on issues of prevention of natural disasters in a meeting he had with them on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Greek government has paid the first 18 fire victims the promised financial benefit of 5,000 euros.
The Infrastructure and Transport Ministry in a statement on Thursday said that is currently assessing applications for aid from individuals and businesses affected by the July 23-24 fires at a fast pace.
