Forest Fires All Over Greece

The last three days have put pressure on the population of Greece, as forest fires spread over most of the southern regions. People have been left without homes, and for a region which is mostly agricultural, many have seen their farms and land go up in flames in a matter of minutes.

The Greek Media has been at the forefront of the fires, broadcasting real time images with journalists travelling to many of the most dangerous areas, reporting on the state of the fire at each place. Although the images we have seen over the last 72 hours will probably remain embedded in our memories, this is one of the few times that I feel I must take my cap off to the Greek Media. It is one time where I haven't been able to find the strength to judge the channels and their handling of the subject. On the contrary, watching the reports coming in and understanding the difficulty of the Greek Fire Department as fires spring up within minutes of eachother, I feel that this time, more than any other, the TV is actually aiding a situation which is out of control.

Telephone helplines have been set up so that people can phone in, a helping hand in a very trying hour of need. No, this is not a time to judge. It is a time for action. Villagers battle alone to save their homes, their lives. As windspeed increases, and the fires spread quickly, this real time reporting must help the authorities, who need all the help they can get in this true to life Greek Tragedy.

Some of Greece's most beautiful regions are being tested to their limits at this time. The people of Greece are in mourning for their country, for their heritage, for their livelihoods, and most people fear that the consequences will be even more tragic.

Who is responsible? A question on everyone's lips.

As a Greek Citizen I thank all the countries who reacted so promptly to our mayday. As an onlooker, I feel helpless as I watch lives being destroyed. As a human being, I feel disgusted that somebody could have done all this on purpose.