Greek authorities apprehend suspects after wildfire devastates pine forest on Hydra, as the nation faces heightened fire danger amidst challenging conditions.
Greek authorities arrested 13 individuals on Saturday after fireworks launched from a yacht sparked a forest fire on the island of Hydra, south-west of Athens. The blaze, which began late Friday, burned part of the island’s only pine forest in the remote area of Bisti. Hydra’s mayor, Giorgos Koukoudakis, expressed outrage and called for legal action against those involved.
The suspects, who remain unidentified, are to appear before a prosecutor on Sunday. Greek fire service officials highlighted the difficulty in accessing the affected area due to the lack of roads. Greece recently increased penalties for arson, with perpetrators facing up to 20 years in prison and fines up to €200,000 (£169,000).
As the country braces for a challenging wildfire season fueled by high winds and extreme heat, other fires also raged across Greece, including on the island of Andros where villages were evacuated. Firefighters continue to battle numerous blazes across the nation, with high temperatures and strong winds exacerbating fire risks.
