A forest fire erupted on the Greek island of Hydra, caused by fireworks set off from a tourist yacht. The blaze ignited the island's only forest, leading to a challenging firefighting operation due to the difficult terrain. The passengers of the yacht initially attempted to extinguish the fire themselves before calling for help and subsequently fleeing the scene.
The mayor of Hydra, Giorgos Koukoudakis, expressed his outrage over the incident, condemning the irresponsible behavior of setting off fireworks in a pine forest. He announced that the municipality plans to file a civil suit against those responsible once the preliminary investigation is completed.
Greece has recently intensified penalties for arson, with negligent arson now carrying prison sentences of up to ten years and fines reaching 200,000 euros. This comes as the country faces a high alert for forest fires, exacerbated by strong winds and high temperatures, with recent heatwaves pushing temperatures above 44 degrees Celsius.
In the last 24 hours alone, Greece has experienced 64 forest and bush fires, with the situation particularly critical in the northwest of the Peloponnese peninsula. Civil protection officials have called for extreme vigilance due to the high risk of fire in several regions, including Attica and the Peloponnese.
The fire on Hydra has been brought under control, but the threat of new fires remains high. Authorities continue to warn of the potential for more outbreaks due to the ongoing heatwave and strong winds. The country is bracing for a difficult summer, with climate change contributing to longer fire seasons and increased areas burned.
- The fire brigade on Hydra faced significant challenges due to the island's lack of fire zones and forest roads, making it difficult to access certain areas. This incident highlights the need for improved infrastructure to better manage and prevent such disasters in the future.
- In a related incident, a fire on the Cycladic island of Andros led to the evacuation of four villages and required the mobilization of water bombers and helicopters. The situation underscores the widespread fire risk across Greece, with authorities continuously monitoring and responding to new outbreaks.
- Last year, Greece faced several devastating forest fires, particularly on the island of Rhodes, which caused significant disruption and damage. The current situation raises concerns about the country's ability to manage and prevent similar disasters amidst ongoing climate challenges.
