Geotechnical scientists inspect fire-hit Rethymno as federation seeks full compensation

3 public-sector veterinarians will begin a full count of dead animals in the fire-hit areas of Rethymno on Wednesday, so that affected livestock farmers can receive compensation sooner.

Nikos Kakkavas, president of the Panhellenic Federation of Public-Sector Geotechnical Scientists (POGEDY), began an on-site inspection of the affected areas on Tuesday. Damage to tree crops reaches or, in some cases, exceeds 55%, he told Cretalive.

Kakkavas said the destruction at the Preveli palm forest was not extensive.

The federation will request 100% compensation for the fire victims, paid through immediate advances, so that residents can recover, he said.

Officials coordinate damage recording

Kakkavas met at midday on Tuesday with the deputy regional governor of Rethymno, Mary Lioni, and the mayor of Agios Vasileios, Giannis Tatarakis. The head of the Rethymno KEPPYEL service, Vangelis Kalitsounakis, accompanied him.

During the meeting, Tatarakis described the scale of the damage from the large fire in the Municipality of Agios Vasileios. He cited extensive losses in the primary sector, homes, businesses and municipal infrastructure, along with the increased needs that followed.

The participants stressed close cooperation among the services involved, so that the damage-recording process moves forward fully and quickly for affected residents.

Lioni said the region’s committees are already in the field, carrying out the inspections and records needed to complete the process as quickly as possible.

Kakkavas expressed the solidarity of public geotechnical staff with residents of the Municipality of Agios Vasileios, and said the relevant services are ready to help finish the recording and technical-support work.

Tatarakis thanked Lioni, Kakkavas and Kalitsounakis for attending. He said cooperation among all services and the staff’s commitment are needed for the recovery to move forward and for affected residents to be supported.