The Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister, Evangelos Tournas, visited Porto Germeno this morning as inspection teams from the General Directorate for the Restoration of Natural Disaster Effects began their assessments following days of devastating wildfires.

There, he was briefed by the Mayor of Mandra-Eidyllia, Armodios Drikos, on the initial extent of the damage caused by the dramatic wildfire to homes in the area.

Seven teams began on-site inspections in the area today, recording damage to homes and other affected properties with the aim of swiftly triggering restoration and compensation procedures for those affected.

During his visit, the minister spoke with local residents, who told him about the damage they had suffered in the fire.

Despite the start of the inspections, the situation in Porto Germeno remains extremely difficult. Burnt homes, ruined property and widespread damage make up the scene the fire left behind, with residents now facing the task of rebuilding their lives.

The Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister’s full statement

“We are continuing the effort with the Mayor, as we have every day and night before now. The effort to save people, to save what we can, whatever can still be saved. And today we are continuing the effort for what comes next, that is, to see what damage has been done.

Seven teams have come here to assess the damage, so that we can move as quickly as possible to restore what has been lost, both to homes and to the environment.

We are here together with the Mayor, committed to this effort, to complete it, to finish it, to do what needs to be done for the citizens, for the residents, and for the environment too. We have a great deal of effort, a great deal of work, ahead of us.”

For his part, the Mayor of Mandra-Eidyllia, Armodios Drikos, said: “As you can see, we are exactly one day on from the fire in our area being fully brought under control. We are here, with the teams and the Minister, to begin recording the damage for the immediate compensation process.”