Destruction in Greece: Migrants Seek Albania's Help

They have only a few minutes to lose everything they had created in 27 years and will now begin their life from the beginning. The tragedy in Mandra, Athens, also struck Albanian families living in the area.

Many 19 are dead so far and a stray. Among them are Petro Kolec, from Saranda. The young man's body has been found amid flood destruction, with the help of the fire department dogs.

The rain has stopped in Mandra, but the situation is chaotic. Hundreds of damaged buildings - thousands of people who lost the hard work of a lifetime - flooded schools and factories, vehicles thrown away as if they were toys, and among them are lifeless bodies still in the sea. This is the view seen in this area.

More than 2,000 families find themselves in difficult conditions, open skies, and almost without any help from the State. The tragedy has hit about 30 families of Albanian immigrants, who have lost everything, already face many difficulties to survive.

Stefan Bono relates the moments of the horror when Wednesday morning felt a severe shock and saw how a violent stream of water and mud grabbed his car and flooded the first floor of the apartment.

It ripped through the gate, took water, and slammed us into the wall, and then into the refrigerator as we rolled through the water. Fortunately it was my bride back and she caught us both, me and the boy, that we would have gone out of the gate to sea. I'm all tanned by the shocks, brick came in and blocks”, reports Stefan Bono.

Amid tears, Violet Bono says she already lost everything, but she is glad that her whole family is safe. She says that no one has come to their aid, even the family facing the racism of the authorities, and she seeks the help of the mother State.

“Help us from our country, because they don't care about us. These guys are racist. They don't even give us boots to wear. Come in, but I have nothing to eat with today. Nobody wants to know”, says Violet Bono.

Progress Hashim lost everything he could create with effort during these years in exile. Fortunately, he was able to save his children and his wife, thanks to the help of the neighbor, who drew the children to the first floor. Progress also appeals to the Albanian government to help, as no one would, according to him, help in Greece.

The “Only Albanians have been near us”, he says. Despite the disaster, however, convinced that life continues, they say they will also face this challenge.