Turks, Greeks in Gökçeada pray for victims of Greece wildfires

ÇANAKKALE - Anadolu Agency

Turks and Greeks living in Turkey’s northwestern Çanakkale province on July 25 prayed for the victims of wildfires near Greece’s capital that killed at least 80 people and injured more than 100.

Locals in the Gökçeada district gathered at a ceremony carrying banners in Turkish, Greek, and English saying, “We share your pain.”

On July 23, fires broke out on the east and west coasts of Greece’s Attica region, home to the capital Athens.

The fires have forced thousands of locals to flee to safer areas as firefighters battle the blazes.

Following the tragedy, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke with Greek Premier Alexis Tsipras over the phone, expressing his “deep sorrow” and offering him help.

Erdoğan conveyed his condolences to Tsipras on the loss of lives and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

Some of the casualties occurred when people were stuck in their homes or vehicles or when they drowned in the sea while trying to escape the flames.

More than 700 people who escaped the fire and reached the country’s shores were transported to safe areas by coastguard teams and private boats.