13 people have been arrested in connection with a forest fire on the Greek island of Hydra, local media reported on Sunday. According to the authorities, the fire broke out as a result of fireworks fired from the yacht.
On Friday evening, a fire broke out on the popular Greek island of Hydra, located near the Peloponnese and south of Athens. According to Vassilis Kikilias, Minister of Civil Protection and Climate Crisis, the fire burned 120 hectares of the only pine forest on this island. The fire was brought under control on Saturday afternoon. Authorities said it was caused by fireworks fired from a yacht floating nearby.
The unit left the Hydra area and moored in the marina in Athens late on Saturday afternoon. Shortly thereafter, 13 crew members were arrested. On Sunday, they were brought to the prosecutor's office. The yacht was temporarily confiscated.
Fireworks fired from the yacht caused a fire on the islandΕποχικοί Πυροσβέστες
Up to 20 years in prison
If the crew members are found guilty, they may face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to EUR 200,000, eKathimerini reported. At the beginning of the year, Greece introduced stricter arson laws.
Fires in Greece
Greece is struggling with forest fires in various regions. On Saturday, firefighters extinguished fires in 70 places. On Friday, a 55-year-old man, a volunteer firefighter, died in hospital as a result of injuries he suffered during a fire in the Ilia region on the Peloponnese Peninsula. Last week, dozens of people living near Athens were forced to leave their homes due to the threat of wildfires.
The high fire risk remains due to high air temperatures and gusty winds.
ekathimerini.com, tvnmeteo.pl
Main photo source: Εποχικοί Πυροσβέστες