The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-08-06

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] New Havoc with Romilda and Dimitroula Hassles Continue

By Annita Paschalinou

Many problems for passengers this summer keep cropping up with the ships Romilda and Dimitroula, both owned by GA Ferries. Romilda suffered yet another mechanical failure while travelling towards the island of Anafi and is returning to Piraeus Port for repairs without any passengers on board, leaving 120 people and many cars stranded on Santorini. The local authorities are trying to find alternatives to facilitate the passengers. At the same time, it remains unknown whether the afternoon route for the islands of Syros, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Iraklia, Schinousa, Donousa, Koufonisia and Amorgos will eventually go ahead. Passengers scheduled to travel with Romilda can contact GA Ferries on +30210 4582640.

Problems with Dimitroula

A mechanical failure to Dimitroulas ramp was recorded in the early hours of the morning, while it was docked at Agios Kirykos port.

The passengers bound for Ikaria were stuck in the ship for approximately two hours.

Finally, at 6am, the ship sailed for Samos, where it was inspected a little while ago and then sailed off again after a long delay.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[02] In Many Areas of Macedonia and Thrace Weather Change with Hurdles

By Annita Paschalinou

The state agencies are on alert to deal with the problems created by the severe rainfalls that are already afflicting many areas of Northern Greece, while they are expected to spread to Attica and the Peloponnese, as well as the Aegean, later on today. It has been raining heavily in Xanthi since this morning, while, on Friday, hailstorms caused extensive damage to crops, houses and cars in Komotini, Myrtofyto in Kavala and eastern Fthiotida. Problems were also recoded at Polygyros in Chalkidiki, in Larissa and Elassona.

Houses and Roads Flooded

The severe rainfalls caused damages to houses and crops in the Prefecture of Kavala. Hail destroyed 400 hectares of vineyards, as well as windscreens, in the Municipalities of Eleftheroi and Pieraioi in Myrtofytos.

The Municipality of Chrysoupoli is also facing problems, as trees feel, mudslides were recorded, and streets and homes flooded.

In Xanthi, where it is still raining, many areas remain isolated due to extensive flooding.

Speaking on radio station NET 105.8, Prefect Giorgos Pavlidis declared that the local agencies are on alert, stressing that the main priority is protecting the lives of the citizens.

Streams Overflowed

In Tsaritsani, Larissa, a stream overflowed, flooding houses and sweeping cars away. Another stream also overflowed at the village Kalcha, north of Komotini.

The Fire Department rescued six people who found shelter on rooftops, as well as 70 sheep.

A shepherd nearly drowned in Nea Apollonia, Thessaloniki, while many of his sheep were swept away.

Power cuts were recorded in the Prefecture of Chalkidiki due to the torrential rains, while the Fire Department received 15 calls to pump water from houses in Polygyros.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[03] South of Crete Search for Refugees

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: ��� 105.8

A major joint Port Police and Air Force operation is underway south of Crete to locate a number of refugees. One person has already been recovered dead off the coast of Lenta Bay, while another 125 refugees, who had arrived on a 15m fishing boat that was found aground, were located by port officers in Kaloi Limenes. All the refugees are well and were initially transferred to a school in Antiskario, where they were given food and water, while they are expected to be granted temporary lodging. The Port Police and the Air Force are continuing their searches both on dry land and in the sea, while the Heraklion Port Authority has commenced a preliminary investigation.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[04] Iakovakis-Devetzi Stand Out

By Stathis Petropoulos

Five Greek athletes will battle out to qualify on the first day of the World Athletics Championship, which commences tomorrow Saturday in Helsinki and ends on Sunday 14 August. Pigi Devetzi and Athnasaia Perra will compete in the triple jump, as they are participating in the two qualifying groups, while the event starts at 10:05. Specifically, Devetzi will be competing in Group B, while she will not have any trouble qualifying as her personal best this year is 14.62m. Perra will be competing in Group A, but she will have to try very hard, as her personal best this year is 14.27m. The qualifying limit is 14.35m, or a alternatively spot in the top 12. The season best for 2005 belongs to Russian Tatiana Lebedeva with 15.11m. Finally, 14 athletes will be competing in Group A and 13 in Group B.

Argyro Strataki will compete in the heptathlon, which commences with 100m hurdles at 10:10. She will also compete in high jump in the morning and 200m in the afternoon. Stratakis personal best this season in 5,943 points at the Mediterranean Games in Almeria on 2 July, while her talent and experience will surely provide her a boost in an event where Swedish Carolina Kluft and French Eunice Barber hold the reins.

At 13:15, Alexandros Papadimitriou will try to qualify in hammer throw and his personal best this season is 78.28m. He will be competing in Group B, while he is considered one of the most experienced athletes in the championship. A total of 31 athletes (15 in Group A and 16 in Group B) are competing in hammer throw, while they have to throw over the 77.50m limit, or finish in the top 12 in order to qualify. Ivan Tikhon from Belarus holds the season best with 86.73m and he is considered the favourite to win the gold.

The fourth heat for the mens 400m hurdles is set to start at 14:14. Periklis Iakovidis, who won the bronze in the 2003 World Championship in Paris, will be competing in that heat. Five heats are scheduled for the event, while the best 4 from each heat, as well as the 4 with the best times will qualify. Iakovakis season best is 48.24, which is the 6th best time out of the athletes competing tomorrow.

Three finals will also be held on the first day. The mens 20km walk is scheduled for 18:40, the mens shot put is scheduled for 21:00 and the womens 10,000m is scheduled for 21:15.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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