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Norway

King Harald releases statement concerning Greek forest fires

On Thursday, His Majesty King Harald of Norway has released a statement concerning the Greek forest fires. The announcement said:

Your Excellency, Mr Prokopis Pavlopoulos, President of the Hellenic Republic

I am saddened by the news about the terrible forest fires that have struck the Attica region of your country, causing the loss of so many lives and people missing, many injuries and so much destruction.

On behalf of myself and the Norwegian people, I am sending you my condolences and deepest sympathy in this trying time for your people and country, and ask you to convey my condolences and sympathy to those bereaved, the injured and to those otherwise affected by this terrible disaster.  

Harald R

His Majesty the King of Norway. Photo: Oskar Aanmoen.

Several blazes are around the Greek capital of Athens with over 50 deaths reported. More than 150 people are said to be injured. Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece also remarked on his Instagram about the fire saying, in part, that “Our thoughts are with the families and relatives of the victims.” He added, “We pray for the full recovery of the wounded and for the restoration of the property of our fellowmen. Our sincere condolences to those who mourn. Good strength to everyone.”

Wildfires in Greece. Photo: C messier via Wikimedia Commons.

On Tuesday, Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands released a statement regarding the ongoing forest fires in Greece. They said they feel “enormous sympathy” for those impacted and “share their pain.”

Sweden is also suffering from forest fires across the country. King Carl XVI Gustaf released a statement regarding those fires on 17 July. There are also forest fires in Norway, but these are not as dangerous as the fires in Greece and Sweden. Norway has sent crews to assist its Swedish neighbours as some of the blazes move toward the Norwegian border.

About author

Senior Europe Correspondent Oskar Aanmoen has a master in military and political history of the Nordic countries. He has written six books on historical subjects and more than 1.500 articles for Royal Central. He has also interview both Serbian and Norwegian royals. Aanmoen is based in Oslo, Norway.