The groups of European firefighters assisting their Greek colleagues on the frontlines of the fires that are affecting the country are being strengthened, following the relevant request for assistance submitted by the General Secretariat of Civil Protection to the European Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection says in a statement.

In particular, following the request to the European Civil Protection Mechanism for air or ground assistance, Greece submitted an additional request.

The activation of the European Mechanism was immediate and the following countries responded – also immediately – to the Greek request:

• Germany: 2 Air Tractors firefighting aircraft. They have already arrived in Greece
• Sweden: 2 Air Tractors firefighting aircraft. They have already arrived in Greece
• Croatia: 1 CL-415 firefighting aircraft. It has already arrived in Greece
• Czech Republic: 1 Blackhawk helicopter as well as 1 ground firefighting unit with vehicles. They are expected late tonight.

In addition, since yesterday the following have been operating in our country:

• Romania, which is assisting with an infantry division with 56 firefighters and 10 firefighting vehicles, and
• Cyprus, which has sent 2 Air Tractors, part of the rescEU air fleet.

Also read: EU | Buys 12 new firefighting aircraft – Delivery in two years