In the broadcast «Political Dialogue» of the radio «Sto Kokkino 105,5», the editor of Kythera News Hippolytos Precas spoke about the great fire that burned Kythera on 26 July, but also about the appeal filed to the Ombudsman, asking for answers and accountability from the Municipality of Kythera and the competent bodies.
Precas described the dramatic picture of the fire, where residents became «spectators of a chaos», with the deputy mayor Kominos himself stating publicly that «they left us to burn». At the same time, he recalled, the then Deputy Minister Domna Michaelidou posted - and shortly afterwards withdrew - a post requesting aerial means.
After the fire, the investigation revealed serious shortcomings in prevention: absence of firebreaks, lack of evidence of fire protection works, while -as Mr Precas noted- «on 4 August, after the 10% of the island had already been destroyed, the mayor commissioned firebreaks».
Particular reference was also made to at the meeting organised by the mayor on 31 July, in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Civil Protection Kostas Katsafadou, where -as it was said- not all factions and councillors were invited. There, the president of the Inherent Property highlighted the lack of coordination by the Fire Department, speaking of «a chaos that endangered even the monastery».
On 14 August, Ipp. Precas submitted a memorandum to the Ombudsman, (who has already sent requests to the Municipality of Kythera, the Fire Brigade and the Forestry Department of Piraeus). Also, the editor of Kythera.News notes that the scheduled accountability meeting of the municipal authority (August 27) was abruptly cancelled, despite questions submitted on the fire by three councillors.
In conclusion, Mr Precas noted that the case is now with the Ombudsman and expressed his concern about citizens« distrust of the judiciary: »Citizens no longer believe in justice, and that is the most worrying thing.".
Listen to the audio above.
