Georgian Emergency Management Service Offers Help to Greece

The Emergency Management Service of Georgia has sent a letter to the Secretary General for Civil Protection of Greece, Yannis Kapakis, offering assistance in fighting the wildfires, which left at least 75 dead and hundreds injured.

Shalva Khutsishvili, Acting Head of the Emergency management Service of Georgia, has expressed profound condolences over the devastating fire.

“At this moment of sorrow, our thoughts are with the Greek people, the families of the victims and all those affected by the tragic disaster. I wish endurance and moral fortitude to the victims’ relatives and friends. I have no doubt that Greece will overcome this incident with courage,” the letter reads.

Khutsishvili also offered Kapakis any assistance which is in the power of Georgia.

The fire started in Mati village outside Athens on July 23 and spread quickly due to strong wind over the whole Attica region, famous among tourists and vacationers.

Greek Prime Minster Alexis Tsipras has declared three days of mourning.

"There are no words to describe our feelings," he said as he asked for international assistance.

The Greek government has approved 20 million Euros (about $23 million) to address the immediate needs of people and towns affected by the country's devastating wildfires.

At least 164 adults and 23 children have been injured in the blazes, which are burning in five main fronts in the Attica region.

So far, 715 people have been evacuated, mainly from the area of Mati, according to government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos.

Two Georgians were missing in the disaster zone yesterday, but the Embassy of Georgia in Greece stated on Tuesday they are safe.

“We would like to inform you that the citizens of Georgia are found and safe. Accordingly, since yesterday evening until now, the Embassy responded to all the notifications received through the hotline and all the incidents related to these messages have been dealt with,” the embassy stated.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Davit Zalkaliani urged Georgians living in Greece to follow the instructions of the local authorities.

Zalkaliani offered his condolences to the Greek government, families of victims and all the affected people.

“I am shocked by the information about the fire in the outskirts of Athens in Greece, which killed dozens of people. We are watching the ongoing process. The Embassy of Georgia to Greece has moved to an emergency regime of work and is providing assistance to our compatriots living in Greece,” the minister said.

By Thea Morrison

Photo: Getty Images