Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-08-12

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Two dead in pleasure boat sinking

[02] Illegal migrants, drug users evacuated from downtown Athens buildings

[03] SYN leader tours Arcadia

[04] New Artemission tunnel

[01] Two dead in pleasure boat sinking

A small pleasure boat sank under circumstances as yet unknown, and three of its five passengers were rescued, while the bodies of the other two were recovered.

It was not known if more passengers had been on board, as the survivors are in a state of shock and unable to provide information or answer questions.

Port authorities investigating the accident are also examining the prospect that the boat was involved in people trafficking.

[02] Illegal migrants, drug users evacuated from downtown Athens buildings

The two buildings were used by drug users and illegal migrants.

A case file was drawn up by police against the building owners for violations of the law on migrants and for health code violations.

[03] SYN leader tours Arcadia

Tsipras toured Mainalos before paying a call on the Vytina Forest Inspection Service, where he charged that "in many instances we see land use changes at the expense of the country's natural wealth", adding that that was the reason that SYN insisted that measures need to be taken before the destruction caused by wildfires.

He called on the state to establish a forest fire fighting agency and a forest protection agency, the drafting of a forests map, and the abolition of existing legislation that is destructive for the forests and the environment. He further called on the government to reinforce the forestry service with more staff and the fire brigade with tenured personnel, instead of seasonal forest fire fighters.

[04] New Artemission tunnel

Souflias said that by the end of August the old and the new tunnel will both be open to avoid heavy circulation.

Afterwards the old tunnel will close for maintenance and upgrade.

"The old tunnel did not fullfil the safety regulations and will be upgraded, and will reopen in November" he said, adding: "The 1.4 kms Artemission tunnel is a landmark in the Peloponnese. It's the symbol of a new era and development for the area. It is part of the Corinth, Tripolis, Kalamata, Sparta motorway currently under construction and is one of the five 'roads of development', as we call them, because their construction will change the country".

The minister noted that the 5 motorways under construction are of a total 1,417 kms and will cost 9 billion euros, of which 6 billion in private capitals.

Caption: View of the new Artemission tunnel. ANA-MPA/Vassilis Psomas

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