The Greek authorities have counted more than seventy fires since Friday based on suspicions, the Minister of Defense said Civil ProtectionVasilis Kikilias, that at least one arsonist would have been responsible for much of it, as 45 of these outbreaks occurred just hours apart.
Moreover, there is evidence of it death of a volunteer of the Ilia fire brigade, who eventually succumbed to injuries as a result of the fire in hospital.
On the other hand, authorities have confirmed the arrest of thirteen people for their responsibility in the fire Bisti, on the island of Hydra. The arrests were made by the arson department of the fire brigade, according to radio station Athina 9.84.
In 2023, intense forest fires destroyed around 1.3 percent of Greece's territory, four times the average of the previous seventeen years. Europe is preparing for a new summer full of extreme weather conditions and record temperatures. London, Paris and Berlin are preparing for above-normal temperatures next week.
Thirteen yacht crew members arrested, accused of causing fire in Greece by setting off fireworks
Greek authorities have arrested 13 yacht crew members for allegedly causing a fire hydra island after shooting fireworks from the ship, in an incident that occurred as the country's firefighters tried to extinguish dozens of open fires in recent days.
The embers from the fireworks eventually set fire to the only pine forest on the island. The suspects attempted to extinguish the fire themselves, but ultimately called the fire department before leaving the area. The flames destroyed 120 hectares.
Navigators from nearby ships eventually reported to authorities what had happened, amid outrage from Greece's Civil Protection Minister. Vasilis Kikilia. “We ultimately deployed six air vehicles and two groups of firefighters to fight the fire; troops needed on other fronts,” he complained in statements to Greek television OPEN TV.
Also the mayor of Hydra, Giorgos Koukoudakis, has protested against this “irresponsibility” of “throwing fireworks at a pine forest”. “We are at the height of the tourist season and it would be advisable for everyone to be aware of what he or she is doing,” he lamented.
The crew of the ship 'Persephone' will now appear in court in Piraeus and could be sentenced to ten to twenty years in prison if found guilty of causing the fire. The yacht, which was rented by 17 Kazakhs for a private party, has been seized.
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