Wildfire on Greek Island Hydra: 13 Arrested for Yacht Fireworks Incident
Thirteen individuals have been apprehended in connection with a wildfire on Hydra, a Greek island, suspected to have been ignited by fireworks launched from a yacht. The blaze, which began on Friday, ravaged the island’s only pine forest. Although now contained, firefighters faced formidable challenges accessing the area via sea and using helicopters for water drops due to the absence of roads leading to the beach.
Hydra, located southwest of Athens in the Saronic Gulf, is a favored destination for international tourists and yacht travelers.
According to Hydra’s firefighting team’s Facebook post, the recent inferno “originated from fireworks launched from a boat, consuming the island’s sole pine forest in an area that is remote and inaccessible by road.”
Greek authorities confirmed the arrest of 13 Greek nationals, scheduled to face prosecutors on Sunday, apprehended at a marina in the Athens area, relating to the incident.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage in Greece, exacerbated by multiple wildfires amid the country’s initial heatwave of the year. With dry conditions, strong winds, and high temperatures expected to persist through the summer, Greece remains on high alert for wildfires. In the past 24 hours alone, 64 forest and brush fires have been reported.
Hydra’s mayor, Giorgos Koukoudakis, condemned the reckless actions responsible for the fire, stating, “We are outraged that individuals would thoughtlessly launch fireworks into a pine forest.”
In a tragic development related to firefighting efforts, a 55-year-old volunteer firefighter succumbed to injuries sustained while battling a fire in the Ilia region of the Peloponnese peninsula.
Scientists warn that human-caused fossil fuel emissions are exacerbating the duration and severity of heatwaves globally.
Arson remains a pressing concern, with Greece having arrested 79 individuals for arson last August alone. In response, Greece heightened penalties for deliberate and negligent arson last year, introducing fines reaching 200,000 Euro and potential prison terms up to 20 years.