Main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou cut short his address at a rally in the northern city of Serres on Friday night and after speaking for only five minutes he said he was discontinuing his election campaign and would leave to visit the wildfire-stricken regions. Papandreou also called for a minute's silence in memory of the people who lost their lives in the Taygetus region and in the prefecture of Ilia, as well as of those who have died in other parts of the country.

"Today, we are experiencing a tragic day. It is a day of mourning for the lives that were lost. For the forests that are burning. For this beautiful Greek environment that is being destroyed. For the economy that is being levelled in the regions of the fires. We are together tonight. Side by side. We are watching with surprise, indignation and profound sorrow the scenes of a biblical disaster. We are jointly suffering tonight together with our fellow countrymen who are in a state of desperation, insecurity and fear. Under other circumstances, we would like it to be a night of celebration. We would lay before you our visions and our commitments. Our plan for Greece that we desire, with a strong voice and a just society for all. We would present our plan for Serres. We would say that there is another path. Today, our message must be first a message of humanity and solidarity for our fellow countrymen. We are all shocked with what we are seeing and hearing. We are devastated. Today, I would like to send with you a message of solidarity from the depths pf our hearts. I will soon be with them," Papandreou stressed during his brief address.