The results of the measurements for the existence of any toxic substances around the rural area where the fatal Antonov aircraft fell on the evening of July 16th, in Antiphilippis of the municipality of Pangaios, do not cause any concern. This is pointed out in the information note of the General Directorate of the Body of Inspectors and Auditors of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Northern Greece that was made public and in which it is emphasized – among other things – that all dangerous substances, the majority of them are at very low levels, but also those that were measured higher, are within the permissible limits.
According to what is reported, the soil and leaf samples were taken by the army on July 17 (the day after the accident), while the following days were also taken by the Department of Environment and Water Economics of the P.E. Kavala, in a radius of up to 3,500 meters. Based on these samples, the relevant measurements were made. Also, on July 25, from the Directorate of Health of the P.E. Kavala, there was also water intake from the Antiphilippi and Paleochori water wells, the results of which will be known next week. Also, from the Directorate of Agricultural Economy and Veterinary Medicine of the P.E. In Kavala, fruits were also sampled from the area’s production – sunflowers, tomatoes, maize and olives – as well as water samples from the irrigation network.
As pointed out, there are no institutionalized quality standards (limit values) in the national and European legislation, so the evaluation should be done by comparing the concentrations of the samples with those of the “blank sample” taken from the area that was not affected by the event , in order to assess any charge incurred due to the incident.
The results so far are compared with the “New Dutch List” and the results are satisfactory, as noted. The indicator to be studied further is lead which is 20.4% above the Dutch list value but is well below the action point. Also, the indicators of manganese and titanium are being monitored, but without being at levels of concern. For the parameters of phosphate and nitrate ions, there is also no concern, as they are basic components of fertilizers and are expected anyway in the area, due to its rural character, it is emphasized.
Deputy Regional Governor for Energy and Environment Christos Gakis, speaking to APE-MPE, underlined that the samples taken from the disputed area do not cause concern and there is no need to take additional measures. “The parameters do not exceed normal levels, so there is no concern,” noted Mr. Gakis and added: “Only some environmental protection and restoration measures will be taken by the ministry. With the current results of the analyses, the area does not need to take additional, large-scale measures in general. People do not need to be afraid and worried, we are following the course of the case which does not inspire concern.”
Mr. Gakis also mentioned that by the end of the week, the analyzes of the water by the State General Chemistry carried out by the Ministry of Energy and Environment are expected, in order to complete this cycle of checks and measurements. He noted, however, that based on the scientific approach to the matter, as long as there is no contamination of the soil it is rather unlikely that there is contamination of the water, once it has not passed into the water table.
At the same time, the mayor of Pangaio Philippos Anastasiadis said, speaking to APE-MPE, that day by day, the area where the plane crashed is returning to its daily life. He also underlined that there has been no lifting of the ban in the area where the officers of the Dry Landmine Clearing Battalion (DRC) continue the work of clearing and gathering the ammunition.
However, the question that still remains unanswered is how and by whom the farmers, whose crops were destroyed not only by the downing of the aircraft but also by the extensive searches by the pyrotechnicians, will be compensated. According to Mr. Anastasiadis, a series of contacts and exchange of letters has already started with the Cultural Protection and the involved ministries on how the compensation of the farmers will proceed from a bureaucratic point of view.
