Greece sends more reinforcements to Israel

Greece on Saturday evening sent a second dispatch of assistance to Israel to tackle a massive wildfire in Haifa that has claimed at least 42 lives.

A C-130 military helicopter departed from the Elefsina military airport carrying a team of 36 firefighters and equipment to help contain the blaze.

On Thursday, Greece dispatched five Canadair fire-fighting aircraft to Israel after a telephone call between Papandreou and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier in the day.

Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman later called Greek foreign minister Dimitris Droutsas to thank Greece, on behalf of the Israeli government, for its immeidate response to Israel’s request for help in putting out the massive forest fire near Haifa, while he also praised the efficiency of the Greek forces.