ATHENS — Citizen Protection Minister Michalis Chrisochoidis said on Thursday he is "both a fireman and an executive – always present," responding to a main opposition SYRIZA announcement asking "whether the minister continues to carry out his duties" and claiming he has 'vanished'.

According to a ministry announcement, the minister said, "For SYRIZA's information: Ancient Olympia during the crucial night handling a hose. Parnitha from very low up to Katsimidi, all those days and nights. And in-between at the Fire Brigade's Coordination Centre in Halandri. Both a fireman and an executive – always present".

SYRIZA: Citizen Protection Minister Chrisochoidis has disappeared, does he continue to carry out his duties?

Citizen Protection Minister Michalis Chrisochoidis has disappeared in the last days, opposition party SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance said on Wednesday asking in parallel if he continues to carry out his duties and is trusted by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

The main opposition party in an announcement said that "the last time we saw Mr. Chrisochoidis, the minister responsible for the Protection of the Citizen, was when with Deputy Civil Protection Minister Nikos Hardalias briefed the people that the state mechanism worked in an exemplary way in Varybobi's fire". In the last eight days when the wildfires are still raging in northern Evia and the Peloponnese he has vanished'.

"The worst thing that can happen is the hour of the crisis and while the fire fronts are still raging, the decrepit state to be adrift".