Tsipras: Mati will not be forgotten

"I am here to bring the message that Mati will not be forgotten once the grim publicity of the first few days is done. It's rebirth is a wager. Not only to protect the residents but also to deal with chronic distortions and problems in the area," he said.

"We are waging a battle," he stressed and added: "I came to hear from you, the inhabitants, about your immediate needs and the goals that we need to focus upon."

According to Athens-Macedonian News Agency, the interior ministry has so far handed out 6,543,504.04 euros to 2,647 beneficiaries in emergency relief to cover their basic needs (586.94 euros per applicant) and to 1,112 beneficiaries for repairs and to replace essential household effects (up to 5,869.41 euros).

As regards the direct financial support measures, the labour ministry has paid:

   - two monthly pensions and auxiliary pensions to 668 pensioners in the fire-stricken area.

   - 108 emergency financial aid payments for uninsured elderly people, equal to the gross amount of two monthly pensions.

   - OAED has paid 20 million euros into the Special Account for Disaster Relief, for repairs to fire-damaged houses and areas.

    - A lump sum equal to 45 one-day unemployment benefits (totalling 650 euros per beneficiary) was granted to workers who lost their jobs due to the destruction of the company they were working for as a result of fires.

    With regard to measures to support the families of the deceased, 545,000 euros in aid have already been paid out to relatives of fire victims, while the process is still ongoing.