Turkiye helps to fight wildfire in Greece

Two firefighting aircraft and a helicopter sent by Turkiye to help Greece fight a massive wildfire have landed at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport, diplomatic sources said on Tuesday.

Anadolu reported that Turkiye offered to help Greece to contain the wildfire that started in the Varnavas area near Athens and spread to other parts of the Attica region due to high winds. Diplomatic sources also said that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told his Greek counterpart that his country was ready to help Greece as part of good neighbourly relations.

Turkish pilot Alper Gaydar told Anadolu today that he and the other firefighters from Turkiye started their work from the Tatoi military base near Athens. Gaydar pointed out that one of the most important features of the firefighting aircraft is that they reach the fires very quickly, and can take off within a maximum period of 20 minutes after receiving a report of a fire.

He also stressed that cooperation between Turkiye and Greece will have a “positive impact” on relations between the two. Such assistance when faced with disasters such as fires “helps highlight human values and overcome political tensions,” added the pilot.

Earlier, the Greek authorities evacuated three hospitals near Athens due to the fires that broke out on Sunday and quickly got out of control. According to Greek media, several residential areas in the northern parts of the capital Athens have been evacuated.

The fires, fanned by strong winds, came after a heatwave that was the hottest since 1960.

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