Seven years have passed today since July 23, 2018, on the day that one of the deadliest fires in the history of modern Greece struck the eye and the surrounding areas of East Attica, leaving behind 104 dead and an indelible national sadness.

And for another year, relatives of the victims, burns and survivors of the affected communities returned to the place of tragedy to pay tribute to the dead. The events started from the victims monument to Neo Voutzas, in front of St. John, where hundreds of people in the area gave the “present”. There, there was initially tragedy, an invitation to the dead and a “deafening” silence was held in memory of the dead. Immediately afterwards, everyone left a flower in front of the monument. From the church of St. John the Great procession began to NAOMA (Attica Maritime Club) in Mati.

The 2018 fire, started by Penteli and exhausted by the extreme winds, burned down houses, forests and, above all, human lives in a few hours. The speed of fire, combined with many other factors, has trapped thousands of residents and holidaymakers. Many have died in their homes, their cars, or in their attempt to reach the sea to be saved. Pictures from the “plot of terror”, where 26 charred people were found embraced, remain engraved in the collective memory as the toughest symbol of the tragedy.

Seven years later, the area still bears the signs of the fiery storm. Despite the reconstruction efforts and tree planting, the landscape remains wounded. For the residents and relatives of the victims, time has not soothe the pain, nor has the questions about the responsibilities have erased.

“We do not be silent, they will not bury us a second time”

The message that they will not be stuck until justice is given by survivors and relatives of victims to the Eye.

In the second part of the memory events at the Mati Maritime Club, a second invitation card was made, and a shocking video was screened with the dramatic moments of the 2018 fire.