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The Star
2 days ago
- Climate
- The Star
Greece battles wildfire on Crete for a third day as temperatures rise
A man tries to extinguish a wildfire at the village of Agia Fotini near Ierapetra, on the island of Crete, Greece, July 3, 2025. REUTERS/Alexandros Avramidis ATHENS (Reuters) -Firefighters battled for a third day on Friday to put out a wildfire on the Greek island of Crete that has razed forests and olive groves and forced thousands of residents and tourists to leave the area. Around 130 firefighters, 48 vehicles and six helicopters were deployed in the effort, working with gale-force wind gusts and dry conditions that could rekindle the fire in areas already contained. Wind gusts could fan embers from smouldering trunks of olive and pine trees on the ground, a fire brigade official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity. The fire in Crete comes as much of Europe swelters in an early summer heatwave, which officials have linked to at least eight deaths on the continent. The fire, which broke out in a village about 16 km (10 miles) east of Ierapetra on Wednesday, has consumed swathes of agricultural land in the southeastern corner of the island, leaving dead animals, damaged houses and scorched farmhouses. Some 1,000 residents evacuated on Wednesday found temporary shelter at an indoor stadium and in nearby hotels and about 5,000 holidaymakers left the area. Many of the evacuees were expected to make their way back home later on Friday as the situation improved, George Tsapakos, a deputy civil protection governor for Crete, told Reuters. Tourism is a key earner in Crete, the largest island in Greece, and local hoteliers were concerned about the impact on future bookings as the fire hit at the start of the peak summer holiday season. Separately, some 148 firefighters battled a fire that broke out in the Athens suburb of Pikermi on Thursday, threatening many homes, causing power cuts and prompting authorities to move more than 300 people to safety. The firewas contained but not extinguished, the fire brigade official said. Temperatures in Greece were forecast to reach up to 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 Fahrenheit) on Friday, the Greek weather service said. In Italy, the health ministry put 20 of the 27 cities it monitors for heatwaves on red alert on Friday. RAI public broadcaster said temperatures would go as high as 38 C in Florence and 37 C in Rome, Bologna and Perugia. With the heat comes a higher risk of wildfires. Greece and other Mediterranean countries are in an area dubbed "a wildfire hotspot" by scientists - with blazes common during hot and dry summers. These have become more destructive in recent years due to a fast-changing climate. (Reporting by Angeliki KoutantouEditing by Frances Kerry)
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Straits Times
Greece battles wildfire on Crete for a third day as temperatures rise
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox A man tries to extinguish a wildfire at the village of Agia Fotini near Ierapetra, on the island of Crete, Greece, July 3, 2025. REUTERS/Alexandros Avramidis ATHENS - Firefighters battled for a third day on Friday to put out a wildfire on the Greek island of Crete that has razed forests and olive groves and forced thousands of residents and tourists to leave the area. Around 130 firefighters, 48 vehicles and six helicopters were deployed in the effort, working with gale-force wind gusts and dry conditions that could rekindle the fire in areas already contained. Wind gusts could fan embers from smouldering trunks of olive and pine trees on the ground, a fire brigade official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity. The fire in Crete comes as much of Europe swelters in an early summer heatwave, which officials have linked to at least eight deaths on the continent. The fire, which broke out in a village about 16 km (10 miles) east of Ierapetra on Wednesday, has consumed swathes of agricultural land in the southeastern corner of the island, leaving dead animals, damaged houses and scorched farmhouses. Some 1,000 residents evacuated on Wednesday found temporary shelter at an indoor stadium and in nearby hotels and about 5,000 holidaymakers left the area. Many of the evacuees were expected to make their way back home later on Friday as the situation improved, George Tsapakos, a deputy civil protection governor for Crete, told Reuters. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Seller's stamp duty hike will curb short-term speculation; market effect likely minimal: Analysts World Trump says countries to start paying tariffs on Aug 1, floats range of 10% to 70% Singapore Sengkang murder: Man accused of killing elderly mother escorted back to crime scene Singapore Tourism bump from Lady Gaga concerts raked in up to estimated $150m for Singapore economy Singapore Jail for man who recruited 2 Japanese women for prostitution at MBS Asia Malaysia dismantles ISIS network involving workers from Bangladesh Asia Manila's mayor returns to office to face mountains of rubbish Life Book review: OB Markers sequel Ink And Influence makes catch-22 proposal for The Straits Times Tourism is a key earner in Crete, the largest island in Greece, and local hoteliers were concerned about the impact on future bookings as the fire hit at the start of the peak summer holiday season. Separately, some 148 firefighters battled a fire that broke out in the Athens suburb of Pikermi on Thursday, threatening many homes, causing power cuts and prompting authorities to move more than 300 people to safety. The fire was contained but not extinguished, the fire brigade official said. Temperatures in Greece were forecast to reach up to 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 Fahrenheit) on Friday, the Greek weather service said. In Italy, the health ministry put 20 of the 27 cities it monitors for heatwaves on red alert on Friday. RAI public broadcaster said temperatures would go as high as 38 C in Florence and 37 C in Rome, Bologna and Perugia. With the heat comes a higher risk of wildfires. Greece and other Mediterranean countries are in an area dubbed "a wildfire hotspot" by scientists - with blazes common during hot and dry summers. These have become more destructive in recent years due to a fast-changing climate. REUTERS
Straits Times
16-06-2025
- Straits Times
Greek probes into soccer hooliganism find links to drugs, extortion and arson
Security and sports violence analyst, Anastassia Tsoukala, gestures during an interview with Reuters in Athens, Greece, May 27, 2025. REUTERS/Louisa Gouliamaki Thanasis Lyngeridis, 60, father of the murdered police officer George Lyngeridis and his wife Evgenia Stratou, 55, pose at their home in Thessaloniki, Greece, May 14, 2025. REUTERS/Alexandros Avramidis A candle burns by a photograph of the murdered police officer George Lyngeridis, at his parents' home in Thessaloniki, Greece, May 14, 2025. REUTERS/Alexandros Avramidis A man walks past a mural depicting Alkis Kampanos, 19, who was fatally stabbed by rival team supporters in 2022, in Thessaloniki, Greece, May 30, 2025. REUTERS/Alexandros Avramidis Aristides Kampanos, 60, stands at the stadium of his son's Alkis beloved team, in Thessaloniki, Greece, May 30, 2025. Alkis Kampanos was fatally stabbed by rival team supporters in 2022. REUTERS/Alexandros Avramidis Thanasis Lyngeridis, 60, father of the murdered police officer George Lyngeridis and his wife Evgenia Stratou, 55, hold a photograph of their son in Thessaloniki, Greece, May 14, 2025. REUTERS/Alexandros Avramidis ATHENS - When a police officer died after clashes with hooligans outside a women's volleyball match in Athens in December 2023, authorities vowed to end the violence and criminality that have plagued Greek sport for decades. Police launched probes into the hooliganism that killed George Lyngeridis and that had moved beyond soccer stadiums, but also into links between some violent fans and criminal gangs. These links, they believed, were ramping up the aggression. While the vast majority of sports fans in Greece are peaceful, evidence collected by police and seen by Reuters alleges hardcore fans, who follow their clubs across different sports, were involved in smuggling drugs, or linked to gangs extorting protection money from businesses and arson. "[The gangs] used sports as an alibi," Sports Minister Yiannis Vroutsis told Reuters. "They used clubs as a cover for their illegal acts." Police have made dozens of arrests, with the latest coming on Monday. The fan groups' hierarchies and discipline "offered the conditions for criminal organisations to thrive within them," Supreme Court Prosecutor Georgia Adilini has said. Police officials told Reuters gangs can emerge within fan groups or infiltrate them to sell drugs, or seek new recruits. On December 7, 2023, some fans of Olympiacos soccer club moved a bag of flares and makeshift explosives from a storage room at their soccer stadium to the venue for a women's volleyball derby against Panathinaikos, a police probe found. "We'll kill you!" the crowd shouted, according to prosecutors, during an attack on police that led to the fatal injury of Lyngeridis, who was hit by a flare. Last month, a Greek court convicted a 20-year-old Olympiacos fan of manslaughter and gave him a life sentence. Lyngeridis' mother Evgenia Stratou said her policeman son never expected to be in such danger. "That day, it wasn't that simple. They were organised, coordinated." FANS CHARGED In a separate investigation, dozens of Olympiacos fans have been charged with setting up a gang, extorting street vendors, possessing weapons and orchestrating assaults. They have denied wrongdoing, their defence lawyers have said. The soccer team's official fan club Gate 7 has condemned the attack and said it has never incited violence. The investigation extended to the top echelons of the club and Evangelos Marinakis, chairman of Olympiacos soccer club, is set to stand trial in the coming months with four board members. They face misdemeanour charges related to inciting sports-related violence and of abetting a criminal group. Marinakis and the other board members deny any wrongdoing or knowledge of criminal activity. Marinakis' lawyers declined to comment to Reuters on the case for this article but have called the accusations completely baseless in the past. Olympiacos has said it takes an unwavering stance against all violence. Gate 7 member Akis Vardalakis, 58, called the case a government witch hunt. But he noted a rise in aggression around sport. "Sports fandom is a mirror of society," he said. EXTORTION, DRUGS In July 2024, police dismantled a ring extorting protection money from at least 76 Athens restaurants and night-clubs. The gang was also hired by Panathinaikos fans to attack fellow team fans in a war for control, police allege in the documents. Panathinaikos' only legal fan club PALEFIP condemns all violence and vets new members, its president Gerasimos Menegatos said. PALEFIP could not comment on the extortion, he added. In December 2024, police dismantled a gang that imported cocaine and cannabis from Spain. Among core members were allegedly fans of soccer team AEK, previously involved in violence and robberies, the documents stated. In 2020-2021 alone, the group imported about 1.4 tonnes of cannabis and 30 kilograms of cocaine. Their estimated profits topped 7 million euros ($8.07 million). George Katsadimas, a legal representative for AEK's fan club, said the case did not concern the fan club but a few individuals who also support the team. The legal fan club condemns any form of violence and its members are not involved in any illegal activity, he said. Last month, police arrested 24 people, allegedly fans of soccer team PAOK in the northern city of Thessaloniki, accused of selling drugs at matches. "The alleged criminal group, which included some random PAOK supporters but also individuals who were not related to sports, has no link at all to the PAOK soccer team or its fan club," said lawyer Ilias Gkindis, who represents the fan club. Those in the legal fan club have nothing to do with illegal acts. "They are people who passionately love sports and believe that criminal activity, particularly drug-related, has no place in the fan club or in sports fandom," he added. Greece's judicial system has several preparatory stages and the compilation of charges does not necessarily mean an individual will face trial. LEGACY OF DEBT CRISIS Older fans said they noticed a rise in aggression since the 2009-2018 debt crisis, that left a young generation without work and with little prospects. "Sports fandom has always been a hybrid space," said Anastassia Tsoukala, a security and sports violence analyst and former associate professor of criminology. A young person can develop other affiliations within a group of fans, and may be pushed into crime in the desire to belong more deeply to a group, climb its hierarchy and make a living, she said. Greece in recent years cut the number of legal fan groups from dozens to just eight, increased stadium security and toughened penalties for clubs and sentences for hooliganism. Since February 2024, some 96 soccer matches have been played behind closed doors and authorities imposed fines worth about 1 million euros on clubs, according to government sources. Police monitor around 300 "high-risk" hardcore fans in each major club, a police source said. Vroutsis said reforms have been successful, while analysts argue brawls have merely shifted beyond the soccer stadiums. Police data shows 700 cases of sports-related crime annually. Critics and victims of the violence say more needs to be done. "Unlike other European countries, in Greece we have never adopted primary prevention. We have never looked at the profile of perpetrators to reduce that type of criminality in the long term. We are only focused on repression," said Tsoukala. Among those campaigning for change is Aristidis Kampanos, who went into politics after his son Alkis was stabbed to death in August 2023 in Thessaloniki. He was one of three people killed in sports-linked violence in 2022-2023. "The clean-up I want is not just a job for the state. We must all participate, including club presidents and fan clubs." Sport must be put back in the hands "of families, pure fans, and those who truly love soccer," he said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Greece to install train control systems by September in reform after deadly 2023 crash
FILE PHOTO: Rescue crews operate at the site of a crash, where two trains collided, near the city of Larissa, Greece, March 1, 2023. REUTERS/Alexandros Avramidis/File Photo Greece to install train control systems by September in reform after deadly 2023 crash ATHENS - Greece aims to install remote train control systems to make its railways safer by September, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Monday, more than two years after the country's worst rail disaster killed 57 people, most of them students. The head-on collision of a passenger and a freight train on February 28, 2023 has become emblematic of years of neglect of the country's railways. Hundreds of thousands of Greeks took to the streets on the second anniversary of the disaster in February to demand accountability and reform. Mitsotakis said during a cabinet meeting on Monday that Greece's entire train network will be equipped with automatic remote breaks and train control systems (ETCS) by next September. He also said that real-time train tracking will be installed as a second safety layer, to avert any potential collision. Accident investigators have said that remote train traffic control systems could have averted the 2023 rail disaster and that safety gaps remain. Greece has repeatedly pushed back a 2014 project, co-funded by the European Union, to install ETCS and systems allowing remote communication between drivers and traffic controllers. EU prosecutors have charged numerous Greek officials with malpractice over that contract. Mitsotakis promised this year to fully modernise the country's 1,500 miles (2,400 km) of railway by 2027. Apart from a national action plan, Greece's Air and Rail Accident Investigation Authority (HARSIA) on February 17 made recommendations - for the railway regulator; the operator, Hellenic Train which is unit of Italy's Ferrovie dello Stato, the state-owned Hellenic Railways Organisation (OSE), responsible for the network; and the transport ministry. Mitsotakis said the government would help revamp OSE, boosting wages and hiring and monitoring staff performance. Hellenic Train would also be called to make investments, he said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
