Greek continues to compensate farmers for losses in fires

Greek farmers suffering losses in recent fires have already received 52.9 million euros (74 million U.S. dollars) as compensation from the Hellenic Organization of Agricultural Insurances (ELGA), Rural Development Minister Evangelos Basiakos said.

The number of fire-stricken farmers in Greece stood at 42,050 in seven prefectures, with half of them in the prefecture of Ilia, Peloponnes.

The compensation sums were advance payments which did not include the allowances ranging from 3,000 euros to 10,000 euros. The remaining sums would be distributed when damage assessments are done.

Basiakos said the compensation plan prepared by ELGA would be sent to the European Union in the coming days for approval.

Big wildfires broke out in late August in Peloponnese and some other areas in Greece, killing at least 65 people and leaving thousands homeless.