Editorial Ta Nea: Warning sign

The recent widespread destruction of roads and bridges in Crete from torrential rains and gale winds demonstrate that the country’s infrastructure works, including the roads network, are antiquated. Their endurance is minimal and the safety of thousands of citizens is jeopardised.

The intensity of the inclement weather is no excuse, as it should serve as a warning sign. The impact of climate change is already plainly obvious.

Extreme weather conditions as it seems they will be increasingly frequent in the future.  Because these conditions will be normal, citizens and the state must prepare in the most effective possible manner.

That means that there is a pressing need for an exhaustive inspection of infrastructure works by the competent authorities and their replacement in cases in which that is deemed necessary.

This can be accomplished either with a public investment programme or a public-private partnership.

Experts say that many of these infrastructure works, particularly in Crete, date back to the 1950s, so they have been destroyed by the wear and tear of time.

The tragedies in Mandra and Mati demonstrate that it takes just a moment for a disaster to occur. We have a duty to prevent it the next time around.