European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her deep sorrow and sincere condolences to the families of the three firefighters who lost their lives battling wildfires in Rethymno and Gytheio on Thursday (30/07).
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Von der Leyen’s condolence message following the deaths of firefighters in Rethymno and Gytheio
The Commission President stressed that Europe stands by Greece’s side, while also announcing additional support to help combat the ongoing wildfires. “My deepest condolences to Greece and the Greek people for the loss of three firefighters who gave their lives in the line of duty,” the European Commission President stated.
Ursula von der Leyen also noted that the European Union is preparing further assistance for Greece, drawing a parallel to the solidarity Greece had shown toward France and Spain during similar crises.
🇬🇷 Τα βαθύτατά μου συλλυπητήρια στην Ελλάδα και στον ελληνικό λαό για την απώλεια των τριών πυροσβεστών που έδωσαν τη ζωή τους εν ώρα καθήκοντος.
Η γενναιότητά τους θα μείνει στην ιστορία. Η Ευρώπη στέκεται στο πλευρό της Ελλάδας.
Η ΕΕ ετοιμάζει επιπλέον στήριξη, όπως ακριβώς…
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) July 30, 2026
“Europe stands by Greece’s side,” she emphasized, sending a message of European solidarity at an exceptionally difficult moment for the country.
“Their courage will live on in history,” she wrote in a post on X.
