Sisi offers Greek PM Condolences over Athens fire victims

CAIRO – 27 July 2018: Egypt’s President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi called Greek Prime Minister Alexi Tsipras on Thursday, to provide his condolences over the fires in Athens that have broken out last week killing several citizens.

In an official statement issued by presidency spokesperson Bassam Rady, he added that Sisi affirmed to Tsipras Egypt’s complete and full support for Greece and its people during this though circumstances.

During his phone call, Sisi expressed Egypt’s willingness to provide Greece with the aid and support it needs to overcome the “current disaster”.

Tsipras expressed his gratitude for Sisi’s support and offer to help the Greek people. He praised the two countries’ strong relations and friendship.

Greece has been witnessing massive fires since last Monday which led to the death of 81 individuals until now, and burned nearly 2,500 houses all over the country.

Egyptian fishermen were reported to participate in saving about 70 children, according to MENA news agency on Wednesday.

It was added that, as fishing boats were sailing to shore, a group of Egyptian fishermen bravely headed for the nearest point to the burning areas and succeeded to rescue people fleeing the fire, according to a report by the labor representation office of the Egyptian Embassy in Athens.

The Greek TV held interviews with the Egyptian fishermen who described what they had done and how they faced tough circumstances at the time in terms of heavy smoke on the surface of the water which led to poor visibility.

The incident has been described as the worst Greek forest fires in a decade.