MATI — 2018 · Major Tragedy
The Mati Wildfire Disaster
On 23 July 2018 a fire started by someone burning wood in a garden in the Penteli area northeast of Athens was driven by winds of over 120 km/h into the seaside settlement of Mati. With escape routes blocked, many people died in their homes, in cars or trying to reach the sea. The death toll reached 104, making it Europe's deadliest wildfire of the 21st century. The lack of an evacuation order and poor coordination drew heavy criticism. In April 2024 a court convicted five former fire service and civil protection officials and acquitted 15 others; the owner of the plot where the fire began was also sentenced.
- Date
- 2018
- Place
- East Attica, Greece, Mati, GR
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Solved
- Coordinates
- 38.0450, 23.9970 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 23 July 2018A fire starting in Penteli engulfed Mati.
- July 2018The toll rose rapidly; the lack of evacuation was criticised.
- 2019By the first anniversary the toll exceeded 100.
- April 2024A court convicted five former officials and acquitted 15.
Sources
- BBC News — Greece wildfires: Dozens dead in Attica region bbc.co.uk ↗
- The Guardian — A year on from the Greek fires theguardian.com ↗
- Wikipedia — 2018 Attica wildfires en.wikipedia.org ↗
- BBC News
- The Guardian
- Wikipedia
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.