Greek government allocates €5 million for Oraiokastro fire recovery
A large wildfire erupted on the night of 4 July in the Oraiokastro district of Thessaloniki, destroying industrial facilities, damaging homes and killing two people. Police arrested a 76‑year‑old driver suspected of igniting the blaze.
Deputy Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Kostas Katsafados led emergency meetings with local mayors, regional officials and disaster‑relief agencies. The government approved a €5 million state‑budget package for the Central Macedonia region and the municipalities of Oraiokastro and Pavlos Melas to rebuild damaged infrastructure.
The General Secretariat for Natural Disaster Recovery will conduct on‑site inspections. Affected residents can receive an initial aid payment for reconstruction and basic needs by submitting an inspection sheet together with a family‑status certificate, and forms E1 and E9. Businesses that suffered losses will be compensated up to 70 % of the assessed damage. The two municipalities have been placed under a state of emergency to accelerate assistance.
The response illustrates the coordination between national and local authorities to mitigate the fire’s impact and restore the affected communities.