The consequences of the catastrophic fire that hit the island of Kythera from 26 to 28 July 2025, but also the need for immediate restoration and compensation of those affected, was brought to Parliament by the Minister of Infrastructure & Transport, Shipping & Island Policy of SYRIZA-PS and MP of Magnesia Alexandros Meikopoulos.
«The fire, which burned over 10% of the total area of the island, caused extensive damage to the natural environment, farms, residents' properties and basic infrastructure, exacerbating the problems already faced by the local community due to the climate crisis. Both local government representatives and government statements confirm that airborne fire-fighting resources were withdrawn during the critical early hours of the fire. The choice to direct the airborne fire-fighting resources to other areas, combined with the total lack of an effective prevention plan, the understaffing of the island's fire-fighting services and the failure to implement effective protection plans, contributed decisively to the rapid spread of the fire. The ecological and economic damage is enormous: forest areas, streams and ecosystems of particular environmental importance have been destroyed, while agriculture, tourism and local small and medium-sized enterprises have been severely affected. The inhabitants of Kythera are anxious about the future of their place and demand immediate restoration measures», said the MP.
In his Question, co-signed by a total of 14 MPs of SYRIZA-PS, he calls on the competent Ministers of Civil Protection, Interior and Environment to answer the following critical questions:
- Do you intend to intervene to ensure that compensation procedures for natural and legal persons who have suffered damage proceed immediately and without bureaucratic red tape?;
- What measures does the Government intend to take to restore the natural environment of Kythera and prevent desertification and flooding?;
- Will emergency funding be provided to the Municipality of Kythera and local services for crisis management and prevention projects (e.g. forest cleaning, fire prevention zones, road opening)?;
- Will the serious staffing gaps of the Kythera Fire Service be filled?;
- Does the Ministry intend to examine responsibility for the delayed response of air assets in the area, which admittedly contributed to the spread of the fire?;
Alexandros Meikopoulos noted: «The Government must finally recognise the need for a substantial redesign of civil protection, based on prevention, scientific evidence and active support for local communities. The effects of the climate crisis leave no room for fragmented and ineffective management. The disaster in Kythera cannot be dealt with by communicative announcements. It requires a plan, transparency and accountability.».
Athens, 31 July 2025
QUESTION
To the Minister of Climate Crisis & Civil Protection Home Affairs Environment & Energy
THEME: Need for immediate restoration of damage and support for those affected by the fire in Kythera
During the weekend of 26-28 July 2025, the island of Kythera experienced the consequences of a new catastrophic fire, which burned over 10% of its total area, causing severe damage to the natural environment, farms, residents' properties and basic infrastructure.
As denounced from the very first moment by representatives of the local government, but as confirmed by government statements, the critical first hours of the fire outbreak there was a withdrawal of the operating aerial firefighting means.
The lack of coordination of the competent bodies, but also the choice of direction of the airborne firefighting in other areas, contributed to the rapid spread of the fire on the island of Kythera.
The consequences for the environmental, economic and social reality of Kythera remain severe. Forest areas, gullies and ecosystems of particular environmental value have been seriously damaged.
At the same time, the blow to agriculture, tourism and small and medium-sized businesses in the region is being felt, with residents anxious for the next day.
The total lack of an effective prevention plan, the understaffing of the Fire Service and the non-implementation of effective protection plans for the island remain long-standing problems for citizens.
The local community and the local authorities point out the need for the State to show immediate reflexes to support the local economy and effectively shield the island from future risks.
Compensation for burnt crops, businesses and homes should be swift and fully proportionate to the damage suffered by fire-affected professionals, citizens and farmers.
The responsible Deputy Minister may have stated that the recording and restoration of the damage will be accelerated, however, previous government practices in similar disasters (Magnesia fires of July 2023, Janos and Daniel phenomena) justifiably intensify the concern about the Government's slow reflexes.
Of major importance remains the need for funding for the development of targeted flood and erosion control projects, based on the geomorphology of the island and its specific characteristics, as well as the planning and implementation of the restoration of burnt areas with the assistance of scientific institutions.
In the field of prevention, it is necessary to adequately staff the Fire Services of the island, so as not to repeat phenomena of degradation of civil protection, as well as to make use of the findings of the Goldammer Commission (2019) for the implementation of integrated prevention programmes.
The Government must finally recognise the need for a substantial redesign of civil protection based on prevention, scientific evidence and active support for local communities.
The impact of the climate crisis leaves no room for fragmented and ineffective management. The disaster in Kythera cannot be dealt with by communicative announcements. It requires a plan, transparency and accountability.
Following the above,
The Ministers responsible are asked:
- Do you intend to intervene to ensure that compensation procedures for natural and legal persons who have suffered damage proceed immediately and without bureaucratic red tape?;
- What measures does the Government intend to take to restore the natural environment of Kythera and prevent desertification and flooding?;
- Will emergency funding be provided to the Municipality of Kythera and local services for crisis management and prevention projects (e.g. forest cleaning, fire prevention zones, road opening)?;
- Will the serious staffing gaps of the Kythera Fire Service be filled?;
- Does the Ministry intend to examine responsibility for the delayed response of air assets in the area, which admittedly contributed to the spread of the fire?;
The questioning Members of Parliament
Meikopoulos Alexandros
Zambaras Miltiades
Vetta Kalliopi
Gavrilos George
Yannoulis Christos
Dourou Irini
Dionysis Kalamatianos
Kontotoli Marina
Barkas Konstantinos
Ekaterini Notopoulou
Panagiotopoulos Andreas
Papailiou Georgios
Papas Nikolaos
Tsapanidou Popi
”]
