The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-07-26

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] One Dead in Crete Building Fire

A charred body was found in the basement of an apartment building in Herakleio, Crete. A fire broke out in the basement housing a car service early on Monday morning. The victim is believed to be the owner of the car service shop. Twelve people were injured while a 13yo and 70yo are in critical condition. The tenants of the building panicked when early in the morning they heard strong explosions.

Ten people were transferred to hospital where they received first aid treatment. Six were released while 4 people remained hospitalized. The 13yo girl, the 70yo woman are in critical condition and a 44yo woman is being treated in the intensive care ward with respiratory problems.

The fire, whose cause is not known yet, broke out in the basement of the building. The injured are all tenants of the building. Eyewitnesses spoke of three strong explosions that rocked the area.

Firefighters, rescue troops and 9 ambulances sped to the site. They tried to bring the fire under control and rescue the people as the fire spread quickly from the staircase to the floors.

The basement, the first and second floors of the building were destroyed while seriously damaged were 6 cars parked close to the building.

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌPA

News item: 38861

[02] Problems at Greek Airports Continue

Problems with delays in arrivals and departures of scheduled flights continue at Greece's airports' due to the "white strike" of air traffic controllers who are strictly observing Greece's air-space capacity. In the meantime, the Civil Aviation Service has recalled all summer holiday leaves, believing that the situation will return to normal in the next two days. Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Network Dimitris Reppas presented the new draft-bill on reforms in Civil Aviation Service (CAS) at noon on Monday. There will be public deliberations before the draft-bill takes its final form and be tabled to the Parliament.

Flight Delays due to Air Traffic Controllers "White Strike"

Five to 60 minute delays in 78 flights, mainly departures from E. Venizelos Airport, were recorded from Sunday midnight till 13.30 on Monday. Today, 325 flights are scheduled to depart from E. Venizelos Airport.

No specific problems have been reported at the Macedonia Airport in Thessaloniki.

Air traffic controllers white strike has had an impact in a total of 400 flights, 198 departures and 202 arrivals from Larnaca and Pafos airports to several European destinations including Greece.

Air traffic controllers demand an independent service so they can themselves manage the fees paid by airway companies and from which their entitlements are paid.

In an interview with a television channel this morning, the president of the Air Traffic Controllers Union said mobilizations would continue unless the ministry finds a compromise formula.

Draft-bill on Reforms in CAS

Presenting the draft-bill on the structure in Civil Aviation Service as dictated by international practices and European regulations on single European airspace aimed to strengthen viability of European Civil Aviation , Transport Minister D. Reppas said the three general directorates - air navigation services, air transport and administration support- are maintained.

The basic structural changes are:

Creation of general directorate of air navigation services,

General air navigation directorate develops into a sector providing air navigation services operating in accordance to EU and international safety standards to ensure safe air transport .

The above directorate will be responsible for the management of air space, air traffic and control of air traffic.

Mr. Reppas said independence of air navigation services, demanded by air traffic controllers, is given clarifying though that the sum of about 180 million in annual fees paid by airway companies would be managed by the competent directorate.

The Transport Minister described as unjustifiable the mobilization of air traffic controllers who are causing big damage to the Greek economy.

The draft-bill also provides for the development of regional airports with specific time contracts with the private sector and setting up of corporations with the state holding the total package of shares. He clarified that Civil Aviation Service will retain control of air traffic and flight safety in all airports regardless of operation status.

The new draft-bill also provides for liberation of ground services in all airports which will improve quality of services and will also include regulation to absorb some of the laid off employees in the former Olympic Airways.

In response to relevant questions, Mr. Reppas said that all sectors except for air traffic controllers agree with the provisions of the new draft-bill which is in accordance with EU and Greek legislation.

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Network Dimitris Reppas labeled the air controllers' requests clearly financial underlining: "some react because of the impact on their incomeâ¦We are in the present situation because some gained and the country had losses. It is time for them and the country to gain".

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌPA News item: 38855

[03] Truck Owners Pulled up Brakes

Truck and tanker truck owners strike since midnight on Sunday has disrupted smooth supply of oil in the market . They announced indefinite strike in protest against draft-bill providing for liberation of transport and opening of their occupation. Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Network Dimitris Reppas called truck owners to assume their responsibilities. In the meantime, petrol station owners have warned of mobilization in protest against regulation in the new draft-bill providing for abolition of safety distance and operation of petrol stations in sites where people gather.

Long Car Queues at Petrol Stations

Truck and tanker truck owners strike mobilizations have caused unrest in the peak of the tourist season. Supply of petrol stations has stopped since midnight on Sunday while over 30.000 truck owners have pulled brakes leading in oil shortage as one after the other petrol stations run out of petrol.

Sudden truck owners strike caused panic among motorists who sped to fill up their car tanks in view of summer vacations leading to petrol shortage much earlier in more than half of petrol stations in Attica. Signs reading "No Petrol" have been put up in many petrol stations in Macedonia and Thrace since morning.

In the meantime, private petrol transport companies can not help the situation as reports say drivers have blocked refineries.

Serious problems are expected in sea transport as tanker truck owners plan to stop supply of ships.

Sources: ÍÅÔ - ÍÅÔ 105.8 - ÁNA/ÌPA News item: 38866

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