Residents and survivors gathered in the seaside town of Mati on Wednesday to mark the seventh anniversary of Greece's deadliest wildfire, holding a series of solemn events to honor the 104 people killed in the 2018 tragedy.
The day of remembrance began with a memorial service at a church in nearby Neos Voutzas, where the names of the victims were read aloud. Afterward, a procession moved to the Mati nautical club for speeches and a video tribute.
In a message, families and survivors said, “We will not back down, we will not be buried a second time.”
The evening culminated in a silent procession to the coast near a site where 26 people died. In an emotional climax, relatives released 104 floating lanterns into the sea—one for each victim—while chanting “immortals.”
The annual event serves as a call for accountability and a vow to never forget those who were lost.