Clashes erupted at the Ministry of Civil Protection, where the seasonal firefighters are protesting to secure their contract renewals. The situation intensified when a group of protesters decided to occupy the building, prompting authorities to order an evacuation by the police.
The firefighters did not evacuate within the given deadline, resulting in a police intervention with tear gas deployed inside the building. The firefighters have refused to leave the area and have blocked the southbound lanes of Kifissias Avenue.
Earlier, a seasonal firefighter reportedly threatened to take his own life if riot police (MAT) entered the building.
The police had set an 8:30 pm deadline for the firefighters to leave the premises to avoid an evacuation by riot control forces. However, the firefighters chose not to leave, instead gathering inside the Ministry of Civil Protection building, leading to further clashes.
