Video made from helicopter: Serbian unit lands on Evia amid horribly low visibility

Our pilots and our firefighters are taking part in extinguishing fires on the second largest island in Greece

A helicopter unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP) of Serbia flew to Greece yesterday to take part in extinguishing fires that have been burning in that country for eight days now.

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The situation is the most critical on the second largest island - Evia, where our pilots are deployed.

Our firefighters, helicopters and pilots are in the part of the island where wildfires are burning - and a large area has been affected.

The video we are publishing was taken as our helicopters were above Evia. That is the moment when they arrived on the island. The smoke has drastically reduced visibility.

In front of the pilots' eyes is only whiteness and uncertainty of what awaits them when they land.

Nothing can be seen up to 2,000 meters.

Three helicopters of the Serbian police unit flew to Greece, two Bell 212s and one H-145, with a total of 14 crew.

Before that, in addition to Serbia, they were putting out fires in North Macedonia, and in the Serb Republic.

On Sunday, 37 Serbian firefighters were also sent to Greece, to Evia, and judging by the footage published by the Greek media, they are in the center of the fires.

Vulin: In all difficult moments, Serbs and Greeks stood together

Serbian Minister of Internal Affairs Aleksandar Vulin spoke today in Athens with Greek Minister of Citizen Protection Michalis Chrisochoidis and stressed that in the fight against natural disasters, we should regionally strengthen our capacities so that we are ready not only to save ourselves but also to help others.

He stressed that Serbs and Greeks stood together in all difficult moments, and added that the same is the case this time as well.

"I am proud that we could help at least a little in the fight against a natural disaster for which you are not to blame and which can happen to anyone. That is why we believe that every country in the Balkans, when planning its capacities for dealing with natural disasters, should think regionally and strengthen its capacities, not only to save itself, but also to help others," said Minister Vulin.

He stressed that the time ahead will show that environmental problems, and even environmental terrorism, will become a new field where we will have to prove our organization and ability to anticipate events and reduce their consequences.

The minister thanked Minister Chrisochoidis and the Greek police for their exceptional cooperation, thanks to which several serious murders committed by citizens of Serbia and Montenegro in the territory of Greece have been solved.

"Our cooperation will continue. Greece is not and will not be a safe place for Serbian criminals, just as no evil will ever come from Serbia to Greece, whoever is taking it there," said Minister Vulin.

Minister Chrisochoidis thanked the people of Serbia, the Government, President Vucic and Minister Vulin, who came personally to support Greece as it battles wildfires.

Chrisochoidis said that he spoke with Minister Vulin about further development of cooperation in the field of fighting organized crime.

"For a long time now, during our cooperation in terms of combating criminal groups in Greece using international teams, we have been on the right track and our cooperation is yielding results. We will continue the fight against organized crime in the same way, and we will reach an agreement regarding natural disasters," said Chrisochoidis and added that the two police forces are exchanging experiences in the field of combating cybercrime.

He added that cooperation between the two police forces in the field of tourism has also been agreed, which will imply the presence of Serbian police officers in tourist areas where Serbians mostly go on vacation.

According to the latest information, dozens of wildfires are active in Greece.

(Telegraf.rs)