Irish Experts are being dispatched to Greece Help resolve the wildfires raging in parts of the country.
Fire brigades from Merseyside, Lancashire, South Wales, London and West Midlands will fly Athens this weekend.
The team sent by the National Fire Chiefs Committee (NFCC) will be deployed together with their Greek counterparts.
Ms. Patel said: “This week I have witnessed devastating wildfires ravaging Greece. In this difficult time, Britain stands side by side with our Greek friends.
“I have asked the National Fire Chiefs Committee to send a team of experts to support this emergency. I am very grateful to the brave firefighters who came forward and volunteered to help. Their expertise will be invaluable in supporting the emergency services in Greece. “
NFCC Chairman Mark Hardingham said: “The British Fire and Rescue Service will provide support to our colleagues in Greece and the communities in need of help during these devastating wildfires.
“The national resilience function of the NFCC is in place and can be deployed in the UK and overseas-the team is very skilled in responding to such extreme events.
“When help is needed, we can provide our firefighting families in Greece with professional and technical skills; the professionalism of FRS employees to provide assistance is deep-rooted.”
In a dramatic scene, the ferry evacuated 1,153 people from a seaside village and beach in Evia, as the fire burned for several days, cutting off all other means of escape.
A fire threatening Athens’ most important national park killed a volunteer firefighter, and at least 20 people were injured in the fire during the country’s worst heat wave in 30 years.
