Greece begins to pose forest fire victims to rest amid recriminations

ATHENS (Reuters) – Greece will begin burying the victims this weekend of a devastating fire near Athens that has claimed at least 88 lives and raised grumblings about the management of the city. disaster by the government.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras took Friday political responsibility tragedy days.

Opposition leaders accused the government of failing to adequately protect lives, and officials said the death toll could rise further.

On Sunday, three members of the same family will be buried at the first known funeral since the fire broke out Monday in the seaside village of Mati, 30 km (17 km). miles) to the east of the Greek capital Athens. "We will say goodbye to our dearest Grigoris, Evita and Andreas … tragic victims in Mati," said the Fytrou family in a statement issued by the Athens news agency, asking the media not to assist.

The government announced a long list of aid measures and promised to tackle decades-old problems, including random and unauthorized residential construction, to minimize the risk of Repeated disaster and public anger.

An assistant mayor in Marathon, who administers part of the fire-affected area, became Saturday the first official to resign during the forest fire.