Attica governor hits back at 'disappeared' claims during firefight: 'When we operate, we don't talk'

Response to online criticism

Attica Regional Governor Nikos Chardalias took to social media on 1 August 2026 to answer critics who accused him of being absent from public view during the firefighting operations in the region. He dismissed the allegations as "filth" spread by people "hidden behind their keyboards" and insisted that his place was on the fire fronts, not in television or radio studios.

When we operate, when human lives are at risk, we don't talk. We are where there is need, without cameras and communication performances.

He stressed that his priority and responsibility, with full respect for journalists' work, was to be outside where needed, not on air or on social media.

Resources deployed

Chardalias detailed the operational contribution of the Attica Region, which has been acting exclusively on requests from the Unified Coordination Centre for Operations and Crisis Management (ESKEDIK) and the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection. The region has made available 53 water tankers, 11 heavy machinery units, and dozens of vehicles and other means. These assets are being used for extrications, rescues, and every other firefighting task requested by the ministry that holds overall operational planning.

Without cameras. Without photographs. Without communication performances.

He said that for the previous 36 hours, deputy regional governors, civil protection staff, and hundreds of employees had been on alert at operations centres and in the affected areas, standing alongside the Fire Service, volunteers, and municipal forces.

Movements across three fronts

Chardalias listed the specific locations where he had been present. He was at Poikilo Mountain the previous day, then at Porto Germeno, and at the time of writing he was at the Psatha front. The timeline of his reported movements is shown below.

He rejected the narrative that he and his team had "disappeared," stating that those spreading such claims would have preferred them to be absent from the field, but "we were never absent for a minute."

Next steps and recovery pledge

Chardalias assured that the region's forces would remain on the ground until the very last hotspot was extinguished. He also committed to supporting those affected in the aftermath, aiming for the restoration of damages, the economic and social recovery of impacted citizens, and the reforestation of burned areas.

We continue. Until the last hotspot is out. And the next day, until every fellow citizen who lost their livelihood stands again with dignity on their feet.

He framed his presence not as a matter of image or communication but of responsibility and duty, and said he had never hidden during difficult moments throughout his career.