Catastrophic Fires In Greece Kill 37

AP :

Fires pushed by gale-force winds tore through more parched forests, swallowed villages and scorched the edges of Athens on Saturday with ashes raining onto the Acropolis. The death toll rose to at least 49 as the government declared a nationwide state of emergency.

Soldiers and military helicopters reinforced firefighting forces that were stretched to the limit by Greece's worst summer of wildfires in decades. In the most ravaged area -- a string of mountain villages in southern Greece -- rescue crews picked through a grim aftermath that spoke of last-minute desperation as the fires closed in.

Read the whole story: AP

Comments

[ParadiseDiva]

01:02 AM on 08/26/2007

What a shame. Love Greece...particularly Santorini.

[watchingthings]

12:09 AM on 08/26/2007

It sure would be nice if it was possible to send them some of the excess rain the midwest is getting.

[Americanism]

04:09 PM on 08/25/2007

I'd like to add my sincere best wishes for swift control of these fires, and to the families of those who have suffered loss.

[cliveohclive]

01:32 PM on 08/25/2007

As a Greek American, I will give you some information that will help in the understanding of what is going on in Greece.

There are vast tracts of forested land that are protected and off-limits to building. However, if the land is deforested by fire, then developers may have access to the land for development.

Therefore, it is widely understood in Greece that developers set fires in order to gain access to this land.

Our Greek friends likely know this to be true. It is a vile practice that goes on unabated.

I have often wondered why the Greek government has not passed laws making it impossible for developers to gain access for development of protected land even if they are destroyed by fire whether intentionally set or not.

This is my understanding...if I am incorrect in any way, I hope that someone with more up to date information will correct me.

And to my fellow Greeks: please use polite restraint in your responses as I am merely attempting to have a conversation about this issue.

[PerryClease]

03:08 PM on 08/25/2007

If there is anyone who knows about defending the Greece and the Democratic way it is I, Pericles. However, I have been away from home for a long time helping our American friends keep their democracy from sliding down into fascism. Now I see we have the same type of slimeball neocons in my beloved Greece AGAIN.

Seriously I am not Greek, and certainly not Pericles, but I took his name as my handle on the blogosphere because he is someone I admire and respect.

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/eb11-pericles.html

I hope that the Greeks get this fire under control and that they can keep their nature preserves.

[deniz]

12:12 PM on 08/25/2007

If this is arson, then it is simply horrible. It is a crime as bad as murder. How can people knowingly destroy forests?

As a Turk, I pray for my fellow brothers and sisters in Greece, I hope this ends quickly and without much more pain...

[BUSHLICKER07]

12:19 PM on 08/25/2007

Deniz,

As a Greek American, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind words. I wish there would be more kindness and brotherhood between Greece and Turkey. Remember how it was in 1999 after the earthquakes? Greece was the first country to send help to Turkey. We are neighbors and should not have all this hatred.

[deniz]

02:12 PM on 08/25/2007

Absolutely. I agree 100 percent, and I do remember how it was in 1999 because I was in Athens when the quake happened! I will never forget the kindness of the people there.

Peace...

[kellygrrrl]

07:07 PM on 08/25/2007

How can people knowingly destroy any land, Deniz?
This is a criminal act, and most likely a political one.
It's truly frightening how criminal and political activity are so closely enmeshed all over the world.

[MissingAmerica]

11:55 AM on 08/25/2007

Greece is a magnificent country, and the people are warm and welcoming. My heart and prayers go out to these people, including the prayer that they get the help they need to stop this. Godspeed!

[squareyellowpaper]

11:43 AM on 08/25/2007

what a heart-wrenching story!

I can't imagine the horror those poor people went through!

It makes you recognize the impermanance of life and its fragility.

[jibjab]

12:55 PM on 08/25/2007

Reminds me of an old 3 Stooges skit where Curley says, "Mind if I smoke?" to which Moe replies, "I don't care if you burn!"

[LeftVetPatriot]

03:23 PM on 08/25/2007

Clever as ever. Traitorboy.
http://www.the3stooges.net/members/1234567/uploaded/curly_coward.mp3

[cindyw]

03:28 PM on 08/25/2007

Thirty-seven people, including several children, died a horrible death. You're not smart enough to be a stooge.

[Salonika]

11:08 AM on 08/25/2007

I also believe the fires are arson related. The Greek election are scheduled for Sept. 16th, and the opposition parties desperately want to tarnish the ruling party of New Democracy. It is a very sad day.
I cry for my home country and what has become of the Greeks.

[ownsthepodium]

11:36 AM on 08/25/2007

I cry for what has become of the Greek Arianna. But she's still a MILF.

[LeftVetPatriot]

03:13 PM on 08/25/2007

Another brilliant driveby Marshmalotov cocktail!

I worship the vomit you bathe in, Master Scrotium.

[kellygrrrl]

07:01 PM on 08/25/2007

Are you drinking today, OtPodium?
If so, you need another, make it a double.

[BUSHLICKER07]

12:14 PM on 08/25/2007

Please be careful with your idiotic assumptions. This is not the time to make accusations with absolutely NO basis. Many people are dying and suffering in my country. I have family there and I dont appreciate your stupid comments. This is the kind of BS that we would hear from ahole Republicans here in the USA. When something goes wrong with the country, whether its manmade or nature, lets blame the opposition. I would say the same if the Socialists were in power and blamed the Right.

[kellygrrrl]

07:03 PM on 08/25/2007

BushLicker, OwnsThePodium is a wanna-be
Pay no attention to those remarks.
His computer time in the asylum is over soon.
i think he only gets an hour a day.

[kellygrrrl]

10:47 AM on 08/25/2007

I do believe the fires are arson and criminal, however it seems more likely that they are intended to disrupt the upcoming elections in Greece. Another inside job.

[ownsthepodium]

10:43 AM on 08/25/2007

Why isn't Bush there! Why do Bush/Cheney/Rove hate Greeks? I question the timing! Here we see more consequences of Iraq!
Global Warming! Climate Change! arrrrgggggg......

There you go huffkids, I covered it for you. No need to thank me.

[PerryClease]

10:57 AM on 08/25/2007

Isn't podium a Greek word? Maybe for once it wasn't Bush's fault, can you account for your whereabouts?

[ownsthepodium]

11:16 AM on 08/25/2007

I am the wind.

[thatsitfortheotherone]

07:56 AM on 08/26/2007

It's a typo. He meant owes his pudendum.