In a recent development, a Greek prosecutor has filed criminal charges against the captain and crew of a chartered yacht suspected of causing a forest fire on the picturesque island of Hydra in the Aegean Sea. The incident occurred during a firework display, adding to the series of wildfires that have been plaguing Greece due to the prevailing hot, dry, and windy weather conditions.
The blaze, which ravaged approximately 75 acres of pine forest on Hydra, was reported late Friday. Authorities had issued warnings about the high fire risk in various areas on the same day, urging the public to exercise extreme caution.
The crew of the yacht, reportedly carrying 17 tourists, was taken into custody after their vessel docked near Athens. The tourists were not detained or charged in connection with the incident. According to reports, a captain of another yacht in the vicinity informed authorities that the fire was ignited by fireworks from the suspects' vessel on Friday evening.
Following the arrests, a prosecutor in Piraeus ordered the 13 suspects to be held in custody pending their appearance before an investigating judge. They are facing charges under recent legislation, with potential sentences ranging from 10 to 20 years in prison if found guilty.
Greece has a history of grappling with destructive wildfires during the summer months, leading to significant loss of forest cover, casualties, and property damage. The country's fire service reported a total of 41 wildfires across the nation in the past 24 hours, underscoring the severity of the situation.
The fire on Hydra was eventually contained after a strenuous effort by firefighters who were transported to the remote location by boat, as the area is uninhabited and not easily accessible by land.
