BUCHAREST, July 25 (Xinhua) -- Romania on Wednesday sent two airplanes to Greece to assist the southern European country in battling the ongoing deadly wildfires.
According to the Romanian Defence Ministry, the planes are a C-27 J Spartan aircraft, configured for firefighting, and a C-130 Hercules aircraft for logistical support.
They were made available by the ministry within the framework of the Civil Protection Mechanism of the European Union (EU), which coordinates responding to natural and man-made disasters at EU level.
"We are talking about a firefighting aircraft, a Hercules airplane for logistic support, and 20 soldiers manning these aircraft," Defence Minister Mihai Fifor was quoted by local media as saying.
"If more is needed, we will certainly be with our Hellenic colleagues," Fifor added.
Fifor had a series of telephone conversations on Tuesday with his Greek counterpart Panos Kammenos on the devastating wildfires in the Attica region, assuring of the full availability of the Romanian Armed Forces to help with soldiers and means, according to official Agerpres news agency.
The devastating blazes have been raging since Monday in the Attica region around Athens. At least 74 people died in the wildfires.
