On July 23, 2018, wildfires that devastated the seaside town of Mati, left the entire Greek nation and the world in a state of shock.
On the anniversary of the deadly fire, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Thursday posted that the tragedy is not forgotten, neither are the people who died and those still trying to rebuild their lives.
“We will not forget Mati: our fellow-citizens who died, their relatives who will always mourn them, those injured and the residents of the area, who are still struggling to rebuild their lives,” the PM said in a social media post.
Mitsotakis spoke of the then-government’s “insufficiency” and “cover-up” and said that “today the state is present and expending efforts,” with burn victims being taken care of, the areas cleared of debris and asbestos and those who lost their homes housed.
He also said that all properties in the area have been declared free of property (ENFIA), the 112 Europe-wide emergency number is in full operation and plans to rebuild will include health, education and cultural facilities and a lot of green spaces.
Mitsotakis will be visiting Mati in a few days to meet with residents and talk about the coastal resort town’s rebuilding.
On Sunday, the President of the Hellenic Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou attended the memorial service held for the souls of the 102 victims, at the Holy Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, in Mati.