Greek wildfire survivors tell of terrifying moments

By Furkan Naci Top

ATHENS (AA) – Survivors of Greece’s worst wildfires in over a decade have spoken of the chaos that broke out after flames began engulfing a village near Athens.

“We were running, and the fire was chasing us. We saw that flames were approaching rapidly,” Maria Vasiloglu told Anadolu Agency.

Vasiloglu is one of hundreds of survivors who experienced terrifying moments as strong winds spread the fires.

At least 85 people were killed and more than 170 injured in wildfires that broke out Monday on the east and west coasts of Greece's Attica region, home to the capital, Athens.

The fires forced thousands of locals to flee to safer areas.

“Someone told us to head towards the coast. We reached the coast by passing down a narrow road located between two buildings. If they had not shown [a way] to us, we would have died here just like others,” Vasiloglu said, recalling their escape from the fires.

On a small rock in the sea, she waited to be rescued for hours, according to Vasiloglu. “Flames were raining down on us.”

She was rescued by a coastguard team.

“We will get through this somehow, but those who lost their relatives will feel sorrow for the rest of their lives,” she said.

More than 700 people who escaped the fires and reached the shore were transported to safe areas by coastguard teams and private boats.

Fifty-two-year-old academic Angeliki Pollali also survived the fire by heading to the shore.

“It was terrifying. I felt safe in the sea. But on the other hand, everywhere was being burnt,” said Pollali, who lives in the beachside resort town of Mati.

“If I hung around for five more minutes, I would have been trapped at home. I might not have been rescued,” she said, adding she was lucky because she was living close to the coast.

Pollali was rescued by coastguard teams at midnight.

Another survivor, Haris Konstandinidis, blamed illegal housing and local officials who have condoned it for the deaths.

“Nobody knows what to do or where to go when a fire breaks out here. Local executives need to be held responsible, not firefighters and police ” he said.

According to local media, 60 of the injured, including 11 in critical condition, continue to receive treatment at six hospitals in the Attica region.

More than 100 people are thought to be missing and search and rescue operations are ongoing.