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Greek PM Assumes 'Political Responsibility' for Wildfires

by VOA News

   Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said Friday that he assumes
   political responsibility for the Greek wildfires that have killed at
   least 87 people this week.

   In a cabinet meeting broadcast in Greek media, Tsipras said he wants to
   "assume completely before the great Greek people the political
   responsibility for this tragedy" because, in his words, "that is what
   the prime minister and the government should do."

   He also said the country will quickly undertake the task of identifying
   building violations, which are believed to have been a factor in the
   failure of many victims to escape. He also reiterated other reports
   that the fires are believed to have been caused by arson.

   Forensics experts and coroners are working to identify dozens of people
   known to have perished in the country's deadliest wildfires in decades.

   Authorities say that the identification process is likely to take
   several more days to complete, because most of the bodies were
   completely carbonized.

   "We have serious indications and significant findings of criminal
   activity," Public Order Minister Nikons Tasks said Thursday. "We are
   troubled by many factors, and there have been physical findings that
   are the subject of an investigation."

   The fires broke out Monday and tore through a coastal area northeast of
   Athens popular with tourists. Rescuers and volunteers searching what is
   left of homes and small towns reported scenes of horror -- charred
   bodies, including a group of 26 people huddled together, some
   embracing.

   Relatives crowded morgues looking for loved ones. Forensic experts said
   many of the victims are impossible to identify without dental records
   or DNA samples.

   Survivors said they ran to the beach to escape the flames. Some people
   who were already burned waded into the water and were picked up by
   ferries or fishing boats and the Coast Guard.

   Many people are angry at what they say was the government's slow
   response to the disaster and its failure to issue warnings. They also
   said authorities did not have an evacuation plan ready.

   Firefighters said they were battling blazes on several fronts and that
   gale force winds helped spread the flames.