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Published
July 27, 2018 17:40:33
For two frantic days, Antonia Tsamis, a Melbourne resident, did not know if her 60-year-old aunt was alive, one of the worst Greek disasters of her living memory being held over 15,000 kilometers.
"We were shocked at what was happening so we were a bit like," Oh my God, this is where our aunt is, "says Ms. Tsamis.
Her mother's aunt lived in Mati about 30 kilometers east of Athens and was devastated by a fire that began on Sunday.
At least 83 people died in forest fires and hundreds of firefighters and of volunteers still searching for dozens of missing persons,
48 hours before Mrs. Tsamis' family learned that their aunt had survived 19659005] "She was in the house, there was fire everywhere around her. She caught her husband who did not see well and was about to turn around to get something and the fire jumped the fence. Tsamis explained, "She literally felt that fire was chasing her."
All that remains of her house are burning walls.
"They are alive and that is what matters most to us," says Ms. Tsamis.
The scenes of devastation and loss of Greece galvanized the Hellenic diaspora in Australia, which organizes donations and relief to be sent home.
The president of the Greek Orthodox community Melbourne, Bill Papastergiadis, said in 16 hours that community groups across Australia had galvanized
"We can not understand the level of devastation in this part of Greece and the loss of life, "said Papastergiadis. ] With more than 2,000 homes razed, Australia's financial aid will focus on finding housing for the homeless
Many will remain without anything, says the head of the community
After years of economic crisis in Greece, it's another blow for families already struggling.
million. Papastergiadis said
"Many people have not been able to repay their loans and even less to insure their home," he said
. The shop owner, Spiro Karas, Kosmos, ran shelves this week, with people consumed by news from Athens.
"People are heartbroken," he said.
The Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, Eminence Archbishop Stylianos, wrote to the President of Greece to extend his condolences to all those who are dead.
states: "Australia meets to pray to countless people who are suffering, are injured or devastated by the loss of their homes, property and loved ones."
Mbades are planned for religious services for the next two weeks.
Delphi Bank (formerly Bank of Cyprus Australia) and the Bank of Sydney opened accounts to accept donations for fire victims in Greece.
Topics:
fires,
disasters and accidents,
melbourne-3000
vic,
Greece
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