Greek PM vows to revamp national disaster unit

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Embattled Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Thursday vowed to create a new national disaster unit as the death toll from last month's deadliest-ever wildfires rose to 93.

"What's important today is to objectively investigate the causes of the tragedy, and take all necessary measures so that it does not happen again," Tsipras said in a televised speech as he announced a 500-million-euro (578 million US dollars) revamp, which is backed by European support funds.

"I am determined to do that," he said.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras speaks with a firefighter officer as he visits the village of Mati, following a wildfire near Athens, July 30, 2018. /VCG Photo

Tsipras' government has been severely criticized over its response to the July 23 wildfire in the coastal resort of Mati, the deadliest in Greek history.

The disaster has been followed by infighting between the police and the fire brigade, who initially insisted that the state response had been well-managed and blamed the high death toll on winds of up to 120 kilometers (75 miles) an hour.

Local residents received no warning and instead of being sent away from the fire zone, many passing drivers were mistakenly diverted into its path and died trapped in Mati's narrow streets.

It later emerged that the police had failed to properly seal off the area because the fire brigade had not alerted them to the location and size of the fire.

People light candles outside the parliament building to commemorate the victims of a wildfire that left at least 91 dead, in Athens, July 30, 2018. /VCG Photo

And survivors fleeing the flames with just the clothes on their backs said they were left unaided on beaches for hours, where many died of burns and smoke inhalation.

The death toll rose to 93 on Thursday after two more people died in hospital.

It's reported that the latest casualty was a 78-year-old woman. An 83-year-old man died on Wednesday.

Another 34 people are still hospitalized after the July 23 wildfire in Mati, six of them in critical condition.

Source(s): AFP