The devastating fires that engulfed seaside towns northeast of Greece killed 102 people on 23 July last year.
Victims died in their homes, their cars, or as they tried to get to sea to escape the dangerous flames and fumes propelled by gale-force winds. Some dipped below the waves to stay cool, while others waited for the coastguard and local fishermen to rescue them.
A year on, the charred buildings remain as a reminder of the deadly fires, while those that lived through the ordeal are still haunted by memories of the blaze that caused the highest recorded toll from a fire in Greece’s modern history.
New Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis went to the seaside village of Mati, one of those affected by the fires, to peruse the burnt remains where 4,000 homes once stood, surrounded by 40,000 pine and olive trees.
Residents floated candles in the water to remember the survivors that fled to sea. Mr Mitsotakis and other politicians didn’t speak after the service but announcements for relief measures had been made earlier, including no property taxes for five years fore affected homeowners and the release of 31 million euros in an emergency fund for the injured and guaranteeing continuing treatment and medicines for around 140 burn victims.
New Greek Health Minister Vassilis Kikilias said he would hold an emergency session of the country’s supreme health council to ensure that silicone, ointments and other required material are available to patients without charge. The state machine has been unprepared to help burn victims recover once discharged.
A year on, people are still asking how the natural disaster that claimed lives and destroyed Greece’s vibrant tourist seaside centres, turning them into ghost towns with empty beach fronts. Residents are frustrated with the slow pace of recovery.