Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-08-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] Shipping ministry mulls bolstering marine laws after Aegina speedboat crash

[02] Revenue data are no cause for concern, say FinMin sources

[03] Wildfire burning low vegetation in eastern Peloponnese

[01] Shipping ministry mulls bolstering marine laws after Aegina speedboat crash

"Any tragic incident generates questions on what we should have done and didn't do. There are however some things where whatever you do, if a sense of disdain is not embedded in people for such negligent behavior, for marine and land traffic, no measure, no control can be effective," the minister said.

"I think yesterday's irrational incident raises issues mainly on the strengthening of regulations for areas that serve as passages, such as the one in Aegina," he added, noting that regulations must be targeted and establish laws that are implemented by everyone.

Four people were killed and 16 injured on Tuesday afternoon when a speedboat crashed on a vessel carrying 25 tourists onboard off the coast of Aegina. According to the first indications, the speedboat slammed on the other vessel at a high speed, cut it in half and overturned it.

He also said the team of maritime investigators sent to conduct the formal inquiry is investigating the causes of the accident "not to assess it in penal terms but to come up with the improvements needed in the maritime safety system."

[02] Revenue data are no cause for concern, say FinMin sources

The sources referred to the latest data on public revenues for January-July and separately for July, for which month revenues appeared to be 354 million euros below target. This prompted reports that revenues had collapsed and that there was a deviation from the targets.

This deviation concerns solely July and is more than offset by the very positive trend of the previous six months, the same ministry sources said. Therefore, for the seven months to July, net revenues were 422 million euros above target, taking also into account that tax refunds were increased by 220 million euros above target.

[03] Wildfire burning low vegetation in eastern Peloponnese

Thirty firefighters with 10 vehicles and a unit of 13 men on foot have been dispatched, assisted by two Pezetel aircraft.

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