The results of measurements for the presence of any toxic substances in the countryside, where the Antonov plane crashed on the evening of July 16, in Antifilippi in the municipality of Pangayos, do not cause concern. I’m going.

All hazardous substances are mostly at very low levels, but even those measured above are within acceptable limits, as stated in an information note from the General Directorate of the Inspection Board of the Ministry of Northern Greece, which was released to the public.

According to reports, soil and foliage samples were taken by the army on July 17 (the day after the accident), and in the following days were also taken by the Department of Ecology and Water Resources of the PE. Kavala, within a radius of up to 3500 meters. Based on these samples, corresponding measurements were made.

Also on July 25 from the Health Department of the State of Emergency named after. Kavala has also taken water from the wells of Antifilippi and Paleochori, the results of which will be known next week. In addition, from the Department of Agrarian Economics and Veterinary Medicine of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise im. In Kavala, samples of locally produced fruits such as sunflowers, tomatoes, corn and olives were also taken, as well as water samples from the irrigation network.

As stated, there are no statutory quality standards (limit values) in national and European legislation, so the assessment should be done by comparing the concentration of samples with concentrations of a “blank sample” taken from an area not affected by the event. to evaluate any charges incurred as a result of the incident.

At the moment the results are being compared with the New Dutch List and, as already noted, they are satisfactory. The indicator to be studied next is lead which is 20.4% above the list price in the Netherlands, but well below the action point.

His performance is also tracked manganese as well as titaniumbut without causing concern. There are also no concerns about the parameters of phosphate and nitrate ions, since they are the basic components of fertilizers and in any case are expected in the area, due to its rural character, it is emphasized.

‘No reason to worry’, says Deputy Governor for Energy

Deputy Governor for Energy and Environment Christos Gakis, speaking to APE-MPE, stressed that the samples taken from the disputed territory are not of concern and there is no need to take additional measures.

“The indicators do not exceed the norm, so there are no concerns,” Mr. Gakis said.

He added: “Only some measures will be taken by the Ministry to protect and restore the environment. With the current results of the analyzes, the region does not need additional measures, and large-scale ones at that. People do not need to be afraid and worried, we are following the progress of the case, which does not inspire concern.”

Mr. Gakis also mentioned that water analyzes by the State General Chemistry, carried out by the Ministry of Energy and Environment, are expected by the end of the week to complete this cycle of checks and measurements. However, he noted that based on a scientific approach to the matter, if there is no soil pollution, it is unlikely that there will be water pollution, since it did not enter the groundwater.

Finding ways to compensate farmers

At the same time, the mayor of Pangyo, Philippos Anastasiadis, said that every day the area where the plane crashed is returning to its daily life.

He also stressed that there was no lifting of the ban in the area where TENX personnel continue to work to clear and collect ammunition.

Until now, the question remains unanswered how and by whom the farmers will be compensated, whose crops were destroyed not only by the plane crash, but also by large-scale searches of arsonists.

According to Mr. Anastasiades, a series of contacts and exchange of letters has already begun with civil protection and interested ministries on how compensation to farmers will work from a bureaucratic point of view.

Source: RES-IPE