Greek PM visits wildfire-stricken town after criticism



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ATHENS (Reuters) – Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is a survivor of the United States, who is one of the world's worst citizens.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras speaks with a firefighter officer as he visits the village of Mati, following a wildfire near Athens, Greece, July 30, 2018. Greek Prime Minister 's Press Office / Handout via REUTERS

Fires began a week It is 30 km (17 miles) east of Athens, and Tsipras has been attacked by opposing parties for the government's handling of the disaster, which also left dozens injured.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras speaks with a firefighter officer as he visits the village of Mati, following a wildfire near Athens, Greece, July 30, 2018. Greek Prime Minister 's Press Office / Handout via REUTERS

Tsipras has accepted full Political responsibility and pledged a series of changes, including a crackdown on illegal and haphazard construction that is thought to have worsened the blaze.

He spent time in the area and met locals, firefighters and police officers, his office said in a statement.

"Today I visited the place of tragedy," Tsipras tweeted.

Slideshow (4 Images)

"(I have) untold grievance but also huge respect for those who fought with the flames," he said.

A total of 25 people are still missing and 28 bodies have yet to be identified, the fire brigade said on Sunday.

Greeks were expected to gather outside of their home country on Monday.

Tsipras' visit comes to a week after the disaster and asserts that he had been busy coordinating the response from Athens. His coalition partner went to Matters on Thursday and was shouted at by survivors.

Additional reporting Angeliki Koutantou; Editing by Kevin Liffey

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