July 26, 2018 | 21:01 (GMT+7)
Vietnamese leaders send condolences to Greece over forest fire
President Tran Dai Quang on July 25 cabled condolences to Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos over the forest fire which ripped through the Mati coastal town near Athens, causing critical human and asset losses.
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Forest fire in Mati causes critical human and asset losses. Photo: EFE-EPA/VNA |
The same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs extended his sympathy to Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Kotzias.
The fires broke out on July 23 following a spell of hot and dry weather. The death toll from the fire stood at 80, with dozens of people unaccounted for as of July 25.
Hundreds of people were trapped in the Eastern resort town of Mati as flames whipped around them. Many jumped into the sea to survive, but others died from suffocation either in their cars, or trapped on the edge of steep cliffs.
Source: VNA