Greek anger - yacht involved in forest fire

The anger is great in Greece since it became known that fireworks fired from a yacht started a forest fire on the tourist island of Hydra on Friday. 13 people have been arrested.

» Updated: June 25 2024

» Published: June 22 2024

Greek anger - yacht involved in forest fire
Photo: Erik Johansen/NTB/TT

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Anger is high in Greece since it became known that fireworks fired from a yacht started a forest fire on the tourist island of Hydra on Friday.

13 people have been arrested.

The fire – now extinguished – was caused "by a firework fired from a boat and ignited the only pine forest on the island in a hard-to-reach area with no road", writes the local rescue service on Facebook.

The mayor of the island, Giorgos Koukoudakis, tells public service channel ERT that he is "outraged that some people start fires in such an irresponsible manner".

The news has sparked outrage also on social media.

Following the fire department's investigation, 13 people have been arrested for involvement in the incident.

Greece has recently tightened penalties for those who start fires that result in fatalities. Offenders now risk up to 20 years' imprisonment and fines of up to approximately 2,2 million kronor.

The country has braced itself for a particularly difficult summer with a high risk of forest fires due to high temperatures and strong winds. In recent days, wildfires have ravaged several areas of the country – and have so far claimed one life, a firefighter who was working on extinguishing a fire on the Peloponnese peninsula.

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

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