“The recommendation to remove the citizens was not given. The Municipalities were obliged to implement the mandate. Here are also mayors to tell you if they could implement it. What I looked for and found is that there were plans” said once again the judicial expert who for the 11th day is in the court that is trying the 21 defendants for the tragedy in Mati.

The firecracker Dimitris Liotsios who answers questions from the defense of the then chief of the Fire Brigade, Sotiris Terzoudis, with absolute certainty formulated for the umpteenth time his unwavering position that there was time to save dozens of residents of the area if an organized evacuation of the residents took place until 17.30 in the afternoon of July 23, 2018 , repeating that although there was a complete picture of the situation, the necessary recommendation was never given.

During the responses of the judicial expert, a resident of the area watching the proceedings shouted what dozens of other citizens who lost their loved ones or were seriously injured themselves by the destructive course of the fire: “if only we had five minutes…”. The resident shouted that in those shocking moments “two thousand people without any instructions left in their cars and others went to the beaches” and added that “I say this so that the truth can be heard”. The intervention of the resident provoked the reaction of the president who asked him to leave the room, without making any other comment. The president then put questions to the expert Mr. Liotso about this part of the case which is considered as one of the main issues of the trial.

Chairman : If at 17.20 the order for a proposal had been given, could the people in Neo Vuzha have left by six o’clock?

Witness : Yes they could

Chairman: Could the residents in Mati have left by 18.20?

Witness: Of course … I insist on it. They could leave for Nea Makri or Rafina. The only problem was in Kokkino Limanaki.

Defense: Had the municipalities submitted the plans where they were supposed to?

Witness: Yes. They have plans for where the residents will go where they will be provided with the necessary first aid.

Defense: Could the municipalities’ plan be implemented?

Witness: But I’m telling you that the proposal was not given. The municipalities were obliged to implement it.. There are also mayors here to tell you if they could implement it. What I looked for and found is that there were plans.

The examination of the witness by the defense continues.