A serious incident involving firefighters was reported in Aspropyrgos, near Athens, after a crew responding to a fire at a Roma settlement came under attack during the emergency operation.

According to a statement by the Panhellenic Association of Forest Firefighters, a three-member fire crew was called to extinguish a blaze inside the settlement on Wednesday afternoon.

The union said there was no police presence at the scene to protect the firefighters. During the operation, a group of around 20 young Roma individuals allegedly approached the crew, threatened them and then attacked them.

The firefighters’ association further stated that the group attempted to take control of the official fire vehicle and remove the equipment being used to fight the fire.

Union raises concerns over firefighter safety

The Panhellenic Association of Forest Firefighters described the incident as particularly serious, warning that such attacks put firefighters’ physical safety and lives at risk while they are carrying out their duties.

The union also said that incidents of this kind make the work of the Fire Service more difficult and could affect efforts to contain wildfires effectively.

“Such incidents cannot continue, as they seriously endanger firefighters and hinder the effective response to fires, potentially allowing them to spread uncontrollably,” the association said in its statement.

Previous reports in western Attica

The reported attack comes after other similar complaints in parts of western Attica. According to the firefighters’ union, there have been repeated reports of attacks targeting fire and police crews during operations near Roma settlements, including areas around Aspropyrgos and locations along the suburban railway line.