Thirteen people have been arrested after a forest fire on the Greek island of Hydra, which authorities say was caused by fireworks launched from a yacht.
Officials wrote on Twitter that Friday’s fire destroyed the only pine forest on the popular tourist island south of Athens. Facebook.
It is currently under control but with many difficulties. Because there was no road to the beach, firefighters had to approach by sea, while helicopters dropped water from the air.
in one declare on Saturday, the Greek fire department said all 13 people were Greek citizens and would appear before prosecutors on Sunday. The statement did not mention yachts.
The cause of the fire has caused outrage in Greece, which is grappling with multiple forest fires and is suffering its first heat wave of the year.
“We are outraged that some people irresponsibly threw fireworks into the pine forest,” Hydra mayor Giorgos Koukoudakis told Greek broadcaster ERT.
There was also condemnation on social networks: “Rich people have more money than brains,” one person wrote.
Greece has been on high alert for wildfires since Tuesday and authorities are preparing for a difficult summer as dry conditions, strong winds and high temperatures continue.
On Friday, a 55-year-old volunteer firefighter died from injuries he had to fight fires in the southern region of Ilia on the Peloponnese peninsula.
Summer wildfires are common in Greece and scientists have linked the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including heatwaves, to climate change.
But the country also has a problem with arsonists – at least 79 people were arrested last August over deadly bushfires.
Earlier this year, Greece introduced stricter arson laws, with offenders facing up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to 200,000 euros (£169,000; $213,850). .
