Following the request for firefighting support received by the Emergency Response Coordination Centre in Brussels from the Greek authorities, the Italian Government, through the Civil Defence Department (DPC), immediately arranged the dispatch of two Canadair aircraft from the Fire Brigade to tackle the extensive fires that have been affecting certain areas of the country for several days.

The aircraft took off yesterday afternoon from Ciampino Airport, based at Elefsis Airport, and are intervening on the fires threatening areas around Athens.

To support the pilots and maintain necessary communications with local authorities, a representative from the Italian Civil Defence Department and one from the Italian Fire Brigade are also on site.

The two firefighting aircraft were activated as rescEU-IT resources within the framework of the European Civil Defence Mechanism: the system provides that two of the Canadair stationed in Italian territory, if not deployed for national needs, can be sent abroad if necessary.