Press Release: Greek forest fires: further assistance on its way

The European Commission expresses its shock and sadness at the number of victims in the fires that are devastating the southern regions of Greece. Following a Greek request for help the Commission, through its Community Mechanism for Civil Protection, on 24 August 2007 held urgent contacts with the 30 countries that participate in the mechanism to provide the assistance to combat the fires. France is sending two aircraft, Norway has offered an aircraft, while Germany is offering 3 helicopters. The Greek authorities have said that up to 37 people have died in the fires.