Greek authorities arrested 13 individuals on Saturday after fireworks launched from a yacht ignited a forest fire on Hydra Island, near Athens, amidst a new season of deadly summer fires. Hydra's mayor expressed "outrage" and vowed legal action against those responsible.
The fire, which started late Friday, burned the island's only pine forest in a difficult-to-access area without roads, as reported by Hydra's firefighting team on Facebook. The fire service's statement confirmed the arrests following an inquiry, with suspects to appear before a prosecutor on Sunday.
Greece has recently toughened arson penalties, with offenders facing up to 20 years in prison and fines up to 200,000 euros (£169,000). Hydra's mayor, Giorgos Koukoudakis, emphasized the need for legal action against the "irresponsible" individuals and called for more anti-fire zones and forest roads.
Another fire on Andros Island on Saturday led to the evacuation of four villages, with planes and helicopters deployed to combat the flames. The civil protection service warned of a "very high" fire risk, particularly in the Attica region, the Peloponnese peninsula, and central Greece.
Greece is preparing for a challenging summer, as strong winds and high temperatures increase fire risks. Following its warmest winter, the country experienced its first heatwave of the year last week, with temperatures exceeding 44°C (111°F) in some areas.
Recent wildfires, driven by fierce winds, have resulted in at least one fatality—a 55-year-old man who collapsed while fighting flames near his village. Last year, a two-week heatwave led to devastating wildfires, claiming 20 lives.
Scientists attribute the increasing intensity and duration of heatwaves to human-caused fossil fuel emissions, warning that rising temperatures are extending wildfire seasons and increasing the area affected by fires, according to the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
No comments:
Post a Comment