Minister under fire as residents slam state response to wildfires

Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis pushed back Thursday against growing criticism from residents and community leaders, who say authorities were too slow and disorganized in responding to the wildfires that swept through mountain villages this week, killing two people and destroying homes.

Speaking on state radio, Hartsiotis rejected the accusations of negligence and urged the public not to focus on blame. “This is not the time to assign blame,” he said, emphasizing that the firefighting and rescue effort had been “enormous.”

But his remarks sparked frustration in communities directly affected by the fires—especially in areas like Lofou and Souni, where homes were lost and evacuations were chaotic.

“This was a disaster, and we were left on our own,” one resident told local media. “Now is exactly the time to talk about what went wrong.”

Displaced and in limbo

According to the minister, 106 people are currently being housed in temporary shelters such as schools and community centers. He said they may be moved to hotels later Thursday if their homes are found to be uninhabitable.

“The goal now is to protect lives and minimize damage,” Hartsiotis said, noting that the President of the Republic has been in direct contact with community leaders and is monitoring the situation closely.

Trapped in the flames

Hartsiotis pointed to the evacuation of 30 people trapped in Lofou village as proof that authorities acted quickly and effectively. He described how police and emergency teams used buses and formed a convoy to guide residents out once conditions allowed.

But even that operation has come under scrutiny from some on the ground, who claim the evacuation message either came too late or wasn’t properly communicated.

“I saw the fire up close”

Defending the state’s response, Hartsiotis said he had been at the operations coordination center since 3 p.m. Wednesday and remained there through the night.

“I experienced the fire up close… the shifting winds, the intensity,” he said. “With all due respect, this is not the time to point fingers. The fire must be brought under control first.”

Still, for many residents who saw their homes burn or spent the night trapped in smoke and fear, his words rang hollow.

As one local leader said, “We’re not pointing fingers, we’re asking for accountability. People’s lives and homes were at stake.”

The fire is still being monitored, and authorities hope the worst is over. But the debate over how it was handled is just beginning.