Greek judicial authorities have taken action against the captain and first officer of a yacht in connection with a forest fire on the island of Hydra. The fire, suspected to have been ignited by fireworks, led to the arrest of 13 Greek crew members. The captain and first officer have been detained pending trial on charges of arson, while the rest of the crew members were released on bail with restrictions.
Wildfires are a common occurrence in Greece, exacerbated by the country's hot, dry, and windy conditions, which scientists attribute to climate change. In response to the escalating threat of wildfires, Greece has toughened penalties for arson in recent years.
The fire on Hydra, which consumed nearly 300,000 square meters of pine forest, was brought under control by firefighters after raging through the night. The crew members of the yacht, anchored near the shore when the fire broke out, were apprehended and accused of starting the blaze.
The yacht operator, Salaminia Yachting Limited, expressed full confidence in the innocence of the crew members, who have consistently denied any involvement in the incident. Despite witness testimonies reporting fireworks-like sounds preceding the fire, the crew maintains their innocence.
Authorities have highlighted that the captain was the first to report the fire and that there were other yachts in the vicinity at the time. Foreign passengers aboard the yacht have since left the country, distancing themselves from the ongoing investigation.
As the legal process unfolds, the Greek judicial system is working to ascertain the facts surrounding the forest fire on Hydra and determine the culpability of the detained crew members. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the environmental challenges faced by Greece and the imperative to prevent and combat wildfires in the region.
