Greece Marks Eighth Anniversary of Mati Wildfire Tragedy

Greece is commemorating the eighth anniversary of the 2018 Mati wildfire, with memorial events honouring the 104 people who lost their lives in the country’s deadliest wildfire disaster.

The Association of Relatives of the Deceased and Burn Survivors, in cooperation with the Municipality of Marathon, is leading this year’s commemorations, paying tribute to the victims while reaffirming the importance of remembrance and accountability.

In a statement, the association said memory is “not only an act of honour, but also a constant reminder of the value of every human life,” stressing that institutions, the state and society must never overlook the lessons of the tragedy.

The commemorations will culminate on Thursday, July 23, at the sites most affected by the devastating wildfire that swept through Mati on July 23, 2018, claiming 104 lives, injuring dozens more and destroying hundreds of homes.

An overnight vigil will be held at the Church of St John the Baptist in Neos Voutzas, where the memorial to the victims is located. Family members, survivors and local residents are expected to gather to honour those who died in an atmosphere of quiet reflection.

Earlier commemorations also took place on Sunday, July 20, with the annual memorial service held at the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary in Mati. Relatives, friends and residents attended to remember the victims and support one another.

Thursday’s program includes memorial services, trisagion prayers and a remembrance walk through the areas devastated by the fire, ending at Argyra Akti. The symbolic pilgrimage is intended to honour the victims and provide an opportunity for collective reflection on one of the darkest chapters in Greece’s modern history.

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