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Updated
July 25, 2018 16:51:24
It's the strong smell of smoke that strikes us first.
Any Australian who has been near a destructive bush fire will recognize him. a stale campfire mixed with rubber seeps through the vents of the car as we round the last bends towards the ravaged Greek city of Mati.
We cross the first of two police roadblocks and public lighting disappears
A woman looks amid cars burned in Mati, Greece "title =" A woman looks amid burned cars to Mati, Greece "width =" 700 "height =" 467 "/>
picture:
Asimina Psalti, 87, sits in front of her burned house in Mati. (AP: Thanbadis Stavrakis)
It is strange to think that just a day ago it was a bustling holiday haven
Now, there is an almost apocalyptic scene.
As we descend the hill towards the center of the village, the whitish gray shells of the burned cars become a more common sight in our lighthouses.
Judging by their position, some were clearly abandoned by people trying to flee the ferocious flames that quickly surrounded the small community, eventually leading many into the sea.
The police, tells us- we have already searched the cars to find bodies.
As we work, the cleaning crews begin to pile up the charred remains at the back of the trailers, some vehicles have been so badly cremated that they're getting worse. – most cars have parts that have
In the most affected streets, power poles are broken down and the lines are a frayed and frayed mess
There are glbad, burnt tires , remnants of engines, grilles and fences
.
Some houses are completely destroyed and appear little more than frames
As always, others seem oddly spared and stand with trees or surviving hedges
. thick soot dust covers almost everything.
His presence in the air is highlighted by powerful beams from emergency vehicles and television crews.
The sign "Welcome to Mati" is a sign of desolation, blackened and surrounded by rubble
Mati will not welcome many visitors for some time
Greeks, like Australians, fear the fury of summer bush fires fueled by dry weather and strong, warm winds.
They usually clean up and sometimes rebuild the inhabitants have already returned home
But no country is accustomed to such sudden and horrible loss of life.
The shock here is palpable.
This tragedy will leave an invisible scar on this city. for the generations and stay with the survivors for the rest of their days.
Topics:
fires,
disasters and accidents,
Greece
Published
July 25, 2018 14:51:56
