Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-06-28

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] 1.1 bln euros from the sale of 10.7 pct in OTE

[02] Dozens of fires reported across country

[01] 1.1 bln euros from the sale of 10.7 pct in OTE

The Greek minister said the private placement of Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation�s shares was successfully completed and noted that the placement met strong demand and was significantly oversubscribed by high-quality institutional funds.

The accelerated bookbuilding process was completed early in the day at the ceiling of the price range of 21.40 euros per share, leading to a significant increase in OTE�s share prices in the stock market.

Alogoskoufis said the placement was the most successful such process run by the Greek state as it showed no discount from the previous day�s closing price.

Investors are awarding OTE�s restructuring programme, introduced after 2004, the Greek minister said, adding: ?We are creating a modern Organisation, dynamic and competitive to work for the benefit of consumers, the economy and the country. Our goals is to further restructuring the Organisation offering better and cheaper services to Greek citizens. Additionally, the very successful privatization process raised around 1.1 billion euros for the Greek state, contributing significantly in reducing the country�s public debt?.

He reiterated that the government would adhere to its privatization program.

[02] Dozens of fires reported across country

In latest developments, a huge fire is laying waste the thick forest on Mount Parnis, the only mountain remaining unscathed in the Attica prefecture so far. The Mon Parnes Hotel and the camping sites of the Bank of Greece have been evacuated and police have forbidden cars and pedestrians from moving beyond the cable car network.

The fire on Mount Parnis began in the region of Dervenohoria and spread to the forest due to strong winds that suddenly changed direction. Ten firefighting aircraft and two helicopters were reported tackling the blaze until late into the afternoon, while 16 fire engines and 40 firemen were brought from other prefectures in the country to assist efforts to contain the blaze.

Meanwhile, the fire at Dervenohoria was still raging out of control, as well as at Schimatari, that broke out in the afternoon near the national motorway. This fire, according to the fire brigade, was caused by an electricity pylon. It has so far laid waste a large expanse of land and has damaged many houses in the village of Stefani.

The second fire broke out near the 66th milestone of the Athens-Lamia motorway and both lanes of the motorway were closed to traffic for a long period of time. The fire had almost reached Avlida in the afternoon and, according to the fire brigade, residential areas were in danger.

Other fires still continuing were at Neohori and Kalamaki in the eastern prefecture of Magnisia, Karaouli near Elefsina, Nea Tyrintha in the Argolida prefecture in the Peloponnese, Melivia in the Larissa prefecture and Avdira in the Xanthi prefecture.

Many other fires were reported under partial control, but the danger of their rekindling always existed due to the strong winds. The fire brigade chief alerted all firefighting forces in the country in the afternoon.

The two people in Agia in the prefecture of Larissa, aged 36 and 42, were burned alive after being trapped by the forest fire raging in the region and while assisting firefighters in their efforts to extinguish the blaze.

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