OAN’s James Myers
12:21 PM – Tuesday, April 30, 2024
An Athens court has convicted five former fire and disaster response workers and acquitted 15 others of their role in a wildfire that killed more than 100 people in a Greek resort nearly six years ago.
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July 23rdrdIn 2018, a tragic fire engulfed the coastal town of Mati, east of Athens, causing widespread damage. The blaze claimed the lives of residents, many of whom were unable to escape and were trapped in their cars in the terrifying inferno.
Survivors of this devastating tragedy were furious when they learned that others had been fined and released.
The officials, including a former fire chief, received sentences of 15 to 111 years in prison for multiple counts of criminal negligence resulting in injury and death. However, the presiding judge ordered that the sentences be served concurrently, limiting the terms to five years.
Those released were each allowed to pay a fine of up to 40,000 euros ($42,728.79) in exchange for completing their sentences. Greek law, on the other hand, allows payments to be deferred pending appeal.
In addition, a sixth defendant, who owned the property where the fire occurred, was also sentenced to three years in prison and released on a misdemeanor charge of involuntary arson.
One of the victims’ lawyers, Irini Marupa, told reporters outside the courthouse that her clients were disappointed.
“All sense of shame is gone,” she said. “The victims of this fire who died in horrific circumstances, and the injured who will continue to suffer for the rest of their lives, and this was made clear in court, will never have the chance to find peace for their souls. I guess.”
The fire also destroyed more than 1,500 homes and structures and more than 300 vehicles.
A three-judge panel ruled that the evacuation response was poorly coordinated.
Fifteen fire, police, civil protection and local government officials were charged with all misdemeanors, as Greek law prohibits publication of their names.
On Monday, all defendants denied any wrongdoing in the tragic fire incident.
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