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Lawmakers at the European Parliament rose to their feet Thursday to applaud a 28-year-old Greek firefighter who helped lead an international effort to stop devastating wildfires in Spain.
Deputy Fire Officer Nikos Paisios commanded a 20-member team of Greek specialists trained in battling forest fires. The unit worked alongside Spanish crews in Asturias, where blazes burned so intensely that plumes of smoke were visible from space. For five days, they fought the flames that threatened the mountain village of Genestoso, ultimately preventing its destruction.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted their mission during her State of the European Union address and invited Paisios into the chamber.
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“I would like to tell you the story of a group of 20 Greek firefighters. When fires broke out in the Asturias region, Spain requested help from Europe, and Greece responded.
“The flames were so large that the smoke was visible from space. For five days, these 20 Greek firefighters stood alongside their Spanish colleagues. When the flames approached the village of Genestoso, they fought day and night to contain them. In the end, together, they tamed the fire and saved the village.
“It is a great honor to welcome one of these heroes: the leader of the Greek team, Deputy Fire Officer Nikos Paisios. Deputy Fire Officer, dear Nikos, your courage is a source of inspiration for all of us.”
Her remarks drew a prolonged standing ovation from members of Parliament, who cheered Paisios as he stood in the chamber.
Παρών στην αίθουσα, εκπροσωπώντας τους Έλληνες πυροσβέστες, ήταν ο υποπυραγός Νικόλαος Παΐσιος, επικεφαλής της ομάδας 20 δασοκομάντος η οποία εστάλη στην Ισπανία τον Αύγουστο και συμμετείχε στις επιχειρήσεις στη βόρεια επαρχία Αστούριας. pic.twitter.com/fzUo59wMYN
— Ομάδα Αλήθειας (@omadaalithias) September 10, 2025
