Greek PM Says 'Chaos' of Unchecked Building Must End

Greek premier Alexis Tsipras on Tuesday said Attica — the scene of last month’s deadly fires — had “experienced an inexpressible human tragedy”.
Speaking at a meeting on the fires that was held at the Technological and Cultural Park of Lavrio, Tsipras promised “an in-depth and comprehensive examination (of the causes of the loss of life) with unassailable processes and unimpeachable specialists”.
Around 3,200 illegal structures in the Attica region will be torn down, starting immediately.
In remarks reported by the Athens-Macedonian News Agency, Tsipras added although there can be no return to the past to correct mistakes or a way to control extreme weather conditions, the government must tear up past wrongs one by one.
“The chaos of unchecked construction that threatens human lives is no longer acceptable,” Tsipras said. “Whatever harms forests and coasts, whatever threatens human lives, will be torn up. It is an obligation to those who died, but more than that, an obligation to the future generations,” he stressed.
Criticizing the lack of “tough decisions to deal with fundamental issues” of past governments, he said that “courageous but necessary political changes were never implemented”.
Concluding, the prime minister said that the government “will take immediate action in areas affected by wildfires to rebuild the quickest possible, but on a new basis of legality and respect to the environment and residents”.