13 arrests after fireworks on yacht spark forest fire – DW – 22.06.2024

The mayor of the Greek island of Hydra said on Saturday he was “angry” that the island’s only pine forest had been burned by careless boaters.

Authorities said 13 people were arrested for starting the fire while setting off fireworks from a yacht. They reportedly attempted to put out the fire but fled the scene when their efforts were unsuccessful.

Since the place is not accessible by road, firefighters had to try to extinguish the fire from the air and sea.

So far they have not been able to bring the fire under control.

Mayor Giorgos Koukoudakis said his municipality would press charges against the suspects, but also stressed the need to expand fire protection zones and create access roads for the fire brigade.

Last year, Greece drastically increased penalties for intentional and negligent arson. Fines are now up to 200,000 euros ($214,000) and prison sentences of up to 20 years are possible.

According to official figures, 64 forest and bush fires have broken out in Greece in the last 24 hours. High temperatures and strong winds have made the situation even worse. So far, one death has been attributed to the fires.

Regional firefighters warn that the risk of forest fires in Greece is currently extremely high.

After an exceptionally mild winter, Greece experienced its first heatwave of the summer last week as temperatures rose above 44 degrees Celsius (111 degrees Fahrenheit).

A two-week heatwave last year was followed by weeks of deadly fires that killed 20 people.

js/lo (AFP, dpa)