Tassos Symeonides
(RIEAS Academic Advisor)
Copyright: Research Institute for European and American Studies (www.rieas.gr) Publication date: 29 July 2018
Note: The article reflects the opinion of the author and not necessarily the views of the Research Institute for European and American Studies (RIEAS).
On July 23, Greece suffered an unprecedented catastrophe when wildfires devastated several seaside communities near Athens. With gale-force winds gusting up to 70 mph, the fires blasted through densely populated areas trapping thousands between impassable narrow streets and the sea. As of this writing, the death toll stands at 86 and dozens of people are missing. Those in the know presume the worst. Preliminary inspections in the devastated areas suggest one in every two affected homes and other buildings is totaled and must be demolished. Temperatures generated by the fires were estimated at 1000 degrees Celsius (1832 degrees Fahrenheit) melting automobile parts and metal fencing, and cracking brick and mortar structures like carton boxes. ..Read more