Dante's narrative poem, "The Divine Comedy," is a masterpiece of world literature. A fantastic journey by Dante to Hades has three distinct places - Hell, Purgatory, Paradise. At Mati we experienced total destruction and Hell.
Purgatory and Paradise are ahead.
Tuesday, July 24, 2018, a day of national tragedy and mourning. At dawn, the bad news reached among incandescent flames and smoke. Men in uniform, executives, volunteers, self-government, travelers, permanent residents, fought the flames. It is a sad day when only grief can remind us of it. A sad and tragic day that has nothing to be jealous of Dante's Hell. Families are embraced and wrapped in stormy flames. Death everywhere. Vehicles abandoned and burned. Bodies charred. Nature devastated. Verdant nature that once kissed the sea has become charcoal. Property that was hard to come by has been destroyed. A hellish landscape of true proportions. Sadness has blanketed our country. An immense silence spreads everywhere. Thoughts have become a mixture of torture and emotions.
The question “Of Why” is asked everywhere:
Why didn’t any authorities issue an order for a forced evacuation? Why were there no responsible authorities announcing escape routes?
We welcome the solidarity and support of our partners in Europe. The concern of the international community, through the media, about our repeated suffering is appreciated in Greece. The tragedy seems to soften the passions of political confrontation. I hope the drums of confrontation will not sound soon. Citizens' solidarity is expressed in many ways to the people affected these days. A huge queue of volunteers and offers for help are in full swing.
On July 24 we usually celebrate the restoration of the Republic. A celebration that was rightfully postponed due to the present tragedy. But the big question in everyone’s mind is: Does our Republic still remain vulnerable? Since its primary duty is to protect citizens from natural disasters and fails to do so.
After sorrow, rage and mourning pass, Purgatory follows.
The time for responsibility and accountability for those who manage public affairs, the State, in all its expressions have come to the forefront. Not only to relieve pain, but to change things. So many victims, so many missing people and so much destruction, and not even a single resignation? It is the entire country that demands for just, real, accountable and objective consideration of responsibilities for such unprecedented disasters, particularly in inhabited areas, with people, fortunes and nature. Purgatory is a necessary step to go to paradise. In an earthly paradise where the State, the leaders, are not planning only for the next elections, but also planning for the next generations.
Natural disasters and disproportionate threats are addressed with specific plans, policies and is measured in human and material resources.
The State is not exonerated when it turns to the past and notes what has not been done with regards town planning, in order to attribute responsibilities to the past. The State makes plans based on conditions that exist for the protection of the environment and the security of its citizens from natural disasters and disproportionate threats.
It is common knowledge that times have changed and that extreme weather conditions are testing the planet on all fronts.
But in Dante's Hell, in Mati, there is a question of why this happened: Why did the Coordinating Center not order for a compulsory evacuation of the area? Why didn’t officials point out escape routes to our fellow citizens? Why weren’t army port authorities directly moved towards the beach?
To create Paradise on earth we need to change our mindset. We need to learn how to deal and live with nature’s disproportionate threats, lessons that we have indeed learned from the many earthquakes we have been through.
The State, voluntary organizations, citizens, and the media must turn a new page and learn from the sufferings we have endured.
