Outrage Over Superyacht Fireworks Incident Near Hydra
A recent incident involving a superyacht near the Greek island of Hydra has sparked significant outrage. The island's only pine forest caught fire, allegedly due to fireworks or flares set off by the yacht's crew. The fire, which occurred on Friday evening, led to the provisional arrest of 13 crew members when the yacht docked in the Athens coastal suburb of Vouliagmeni. The yacht, named 'Persefoni,' had 17 tourists from Kazakhstan on board. The incident has drawn severe backlash on social media, with many users demanding stricter penalties for arson.
High Risk of Forest Fires in Greece
The incident comes at a time when Greece is already grappling with a high risk of forest fires due to strong winds and high temperatures. The Greek authorities have been issuing warnings against handling fire and sparks, grilling outdoors, and using tools like welding or grinding equipment. The mayor of Hydra has expressed his fury over the incident and stated that the island community would file a civil suit against those responsible. The fire was eventually brought under control by the fire brigade with the help of helicopters.
Stricter Penalties for Arson in Greece
In response to the increasing number of forest fires, Greece has recently toughened its penalties for arson. Perpetrators can now face up to twenty years in prison and fines of up to 200,000 euros. Despite these measures, catching those responsible for fires remains challenging. The Greek civil protection agency has reported that the risk of forest fires remains high in several regions, particularly in central Greece. The country has been experiencing extreme weather conditions, including a recent heatwave with temperatures reaching over 44°C.
- The mayor of Hydra, Giorgos Koukoudakis, appeared on public television channel ERT, expressing his outrage over the irresponsible actions of the yacht's crew. He emphasized that the municipality would take legal action against those responsible for the fire once the preliminary investigation was completed.
- On the Skai television channel, Koukoudakis also highlighted the challenges faced by firefighters due to the lack of fire zones or forest roads on the island. This has made it difficult for firefighters to access certain areas and control the spread of fires.
- Civil protection authorities have called for heightened vigilance as the risk of fire remains very high, especially in the Attica region, the Peloponnese, and central Greece. The country recorded 45 new fire outbreaks fueled by strong winds and high temperatures, which have reached up to 40°C in some areas.
- The Mediterranean country recently experienced its first heatwave of the summer, with temperatures soaring above 44°C. This follows a devastating fire season in 2023, which saw more than twenty deaths and a prolonged heatwave lasting over two weeks. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), rising temperatures due to fossil fuel emissions are extending the fire season and increasing the area affected by fires.
