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The Independent
6 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Greek court jails 4 officials over botched evacuation during deadly wildfire near Athens
Four former senior fire service and civil protection officials were jailed in Greece Wednesday after being found guilty for failing to mount a proper evacuation in a wildfire that killed more than 100 people outside Athens in 2018. A former fire chief, his deputy, and head of a disaster coordination center were each sentenced to serve five years in prison for causing loss of life though negligence, along with a former director of the government's civil protection agency. The July 23, 2018, fire swept through the seaside area of Mati, east of Athens, forcing residents into a chaotic attempt to escape — either by car through a dense forest or fleeing into the sea. The court in Athens ruled that the officials had failed to organize an orderly evacuation. The defendants were initially found guilty in a trial that concluded last year and not jailed, but a senior prosecutor challenged the verdict, leading to a retrial. Greece is battling an increasing number of serious wildfires annually, which are blamed by authorities on the effects of climate change.
CTV News
03-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Former top Greek fire officials convicted over deadly blaze, victims' relatives angry at acquittals
ATHENS, Greece — A court in Athens on Tuesday convicted a former Fire Service chief and nine others for their roles in managing a 2018 wildfire that killed more than 100 people outside the Greek capital. The hearing was disrupted by protests from victims' relatives after several former civil administrators on trial were acquitted. The fire, which broke out in the seaside area of Mati, east of Athens, spread rapidly due to strong winds. Many residents died in a chaotic attempt to escape — either by car through a dense forest or fleeing into the sea. Senior officials from the Fire Service and civil protection agencies were found guilty of negligence resulting in loss of life and breach of duty for failing to safely direct the evacuation. A sentencing hearing was scheduled for Wednesday due to the delay caused by the courtroom protests. 'My daughter went there for one day and never made it out. No one told her to leave,' Eleni Siapkara, dressed in black and holding a white rose, told reporters. 'They destroyed our family.' Her 35-year-old daughter, Calliope, died in the fire. Siapkara joined other grieving relatives outside the courthouse where they released black helium-filled balloons in remembrance of the tragedy. Six of the defendants were initially found guilty in a trial that concluded last year, but an appeals court prosecutor challenged the verdict, leading to a retrial. None of the defendants was jailed while awaiting the outcome of the second trial. The Associated Press
BreakingNews.ie
03-06-2025
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Former top Greek fire officials convicted over deadly blaze
A court in Athens has convicted a former fire service chief and nine others for their roles in managing a 2018 wildfire that killed more than 100 people outside the Greek capital. The hearing was disrupted by protests from victims' relatives after several former civil administrators on trial were acquitted. Advertisement The fire, which broke out in the seaside area of Mati, east of Athens, spread rapidly due to strong winds. Many residents died in a chaotic attempt to escape — either by car through a dense forest or fleeing into the sea. Senior officials from the fire service and civil protection agencies were found guilty of negligence resulting in loss of life and breach of duty for failing to safely direct the evacuation. A sentencing hearing was scheduled for Wednesday due to the delay caused by the courtroom protests. Advertisement 'My daughter went there for one day and never made it out. No one told her to leave,' Eleni Siapkara, dressed in black and holding a white rose, told reporters. 'They destroyed our family.' Her 35-year-old daughter, Calliope, died in the fire. Ms Siapkara joined other grieving relatives outside the courthouse where they released black helium-filled balloons in remembrance of the tragedy. Six of the defendants were initially found guilty in a trial that concluded last year, but an appeals court prosecutor challenged the verdict, leading to a retrial. Advertisement None of the defendants was jailed while awaiting the outcome of the second trial.
Washington Post
03-06-2025
- General
- Washington Post
Former top Greek fire officials convicted over deadly blaze, victims' relatives angry at acquittals
ATHENS, Greece — A court in Athens on Tuesday convicted a former Fire Service chief and nine others for their roles in managing a 2018 wildfire that killed more than 100 people outside the Greek capital. The hearing was disrupted by protests from victims' relatives after several former civil administrators on trial were acquitted. The fire, which broke out in the seaside area of Mati, east of Athens, spread rapidly due to strong winds. Many residents died in a chaotic attempt to escape — either by car through a dense forest or fleeing into the sea. Senior officials from the Fire Service and civil protection agencies were found guilty of negligence resulting in loss of life and breach of duty for failing to safely direct the evacuation. A sentencing hearing was scheduled for Wednesday due to the delay caused by the courtroom protests. 'My daughter went there for one day and never made it out. No one told her to leave,' Eleni Siapkara, dressed in black and holding a white rose, told reporters. 'They destroyed our family.' Her 35-year-old daughter, Calliope, died in the fire. Siapkara joined other grieving relatives outside the courthouse where they released black helium-filled balloons in remembrance of the tragedy. Six of the defendants were initially found guilty in a trial that concluded last year, but an appeals court prosecutor challenged the verdict, leading to a retrial. None of the defendants was jailed while awaiting the outcome of the second trial.
The Independent
03-06-2025
- General
- The Independent
Former top Greek fire officials convicted over deadly blaze, victims' relatives angry at acquittals
A court in Athens on Tuesday convicted a former Fire Service chief and nine others for their roles in managing a 2018 wildfire that killed more than 100 people outside the Greek capital. The hearing was disrupted by protests from victims' relatives after several former civil administrators on trial were acquitted. The fire, which broke out in the seaside area of Mati, east of Athens, spread rapidly due to strong winds. Many residents died in a chaotic attempt to escape — either by car through a dense forest or fleeing into the sea. Senior officials from the Fire Service and civil protection agencies were found guilty of negligence resulting in loss of life and breach of duty for failing to safely direct the evacuation. A sentencing hearing was scheduled for Wednesday due to the delay caused by the courtroom protests. 'My daughter went there for one day and never made it out. No one told her to leave,' Eleni Siapkara, dressed in black and holding a white rose, told reporters. 'They destroyed our family.' Her 35-year-old daughter, Calliope, died in the fire. Siapkara joined other grieving relatives outside the courthouse where they released black helium-filled balloons in remembrance of the tragedy. Six of the defendants were initially found guilty in a trial that concluded last year, but an appeals court prosecutor challenged the verdict, leading to a retrial. None of the defendants was jailed while awaiting the outcome of the second trial.
