MATI

More than a year after a disastrous wildfire ravaged the coastal settlement of Mati in eastern Attica, killing more than 100 people, only 10 of the illegally built properties in the area have been demolished.

Greek authorities say they are reinforcing firefighting forces tackling a large forest fire on the western island of Zakynthos, where a tourist resort was evacuated.

Returning from his official trip to Paris, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Friday visited a plot of land in eastern Attica which was recently cleaned of 20,000 tonnes of charred tree trunks and branches, cut down and collected after last year's deadly blaze in the resort town of Mati.

Elafonisos, Mount Hymettus, Evia: Within just a few days, three fires - with the latter being the most destructive - tested the adequacy, limits and endurance of the state apparatus, on issues ranging from firefighting to civil protection. 

A large wildfire fanned by strong winds burned tracts of pine forest on the Greek island of Evia, firefighters said on Tuesday, with evacuation ordered of two villages in the path of the flames.

Wildfires raged uncontrolled in at least four other Greek regions, and the fire brigade said it had been called to put out 182 fires in the last three days.

Loukoumakis was only 2 years old when he was discovered in a fire-ravaged home in the east Attica seaside town of Mati after last summer's devastating wildfires, frightened and injured.

A burnt swing hangs in a playground following a wildfire at the village of Mati, near Athens, July 25, 2018. A year since Greece's deadliest wildfire tore through coastal towns near Athens, killing 102 people, the road to normalcy for its survivors is long and dotted with burned down homes and barren land. [Reuters]

A year since Greece's deadliest wildfire tore through coastal towns near Athens, killing 102 people, the road to normalcy for its survivors is long and dotted with burned down homes and barren land.
On the side of one street, a giant white cross rises among black and wilting pine trees. "In memoriam 23-7-18," it reads.

Government spokesman Stelios Petsas has confirmed a series of measure to help people who suffered injuries and lost their homes in last summer's deadly wildfires in east Attica, confirming pledges made on Monday by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who attended a memorial service in the seaside town of Mati on Tuesday, the anniversary of the event.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was in the seaside town of Mati on Tuesday for a commemoration of last summer's deadly eastern Attica wildfires, which claimed 102 lives and caused widespread destruction.

Mitsotakis and other officials will also attend a religious service that will be held at 9.30 a.m. at the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin (Koimisis tis Theotokou).