By IRNA
Berlin : Germany will send three CH-53 transport helicopters to Greece to combat the wild fires in that south European country, foreign ministry spokesman Martin Jaeger told journalists here Sunday.
According to the deputy spokesperson of the German Defense Ministry, Michael Berndsen, the helicopters will be put into operation in Greece on Tuesday.
An advance commando was due to depart Germany for Greece to prepare logistically for the transfer of the helicopters, Berndsen added.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier phoned his Greek counterpart on Saturday to offer help in combating the raging wild fires, Jaeger said.
International aid started to arrive in Greece on Sunday as that country is leading a desperate fight with out-of-control wild fires on the Peloponnese peninsula.
At least 53 people have so far been killed in the wild fires, according to Greek officials.
Nearly 200 fires were burning across the region, many of them still uncontrolled.