Thirteen Arrested After Yacht Fireworks Ignite Forest Blaze on Greek Island

Greek authorities detained 13 individuals on Saturday after fireworks launched from a yacht sparked a forest fire on the island of Hydra, near Athens, amidst a season of deadly summer fires fueled by high winds and scorching temperatures.

Hydra's mayor, Giorgos Koukoudakis, voiced his "outrage" over the incident, which began late Friday, and pledged to pursue legal action against those responsible. The fire, ignited by fireworks, devastated the island's only pine forest, which is located in a remote, roadless area, according to the local firefighting team.

This week's wildfires in Greece have already claimed at least one life. Following an investigation, the fire service announced the arrest of 13 individuals linked to the fireworks, who will appear before a prosecutor on Sunday. No further details about the suspects were provided. Greece has recently intensified penalties for arson, with offenders facing up to 20 years in prison and fines reaching 200,000 euros (£169,000).

In addition to seeking legal recourse against those responsible, Mayor Koukoudakis stressed the need for more anti-fire zones and forest roads. Meanwhile, another blaze erupted on the island of Andros on Saturday, prompting the evacuation of four villages as aircraft and helicopters were deployed to combat the flames.

The civil protection service has issued a call for heightened vigilance, citing a "very high" fire risk, particularly in the Attica region, the Peloponnese peninsula, and central Greece. The country is bracing for a challenging summer, with authorities warning that strong winds and high temperatures elevate the danger.

Following its warmest winter on record, Greece experienced its first heatwave of the year last week, with temperatures soaring above 44C (111F) in some areas. Firefighters have been battling wildfires driven by fierce winds over the past three days, resulting in at least one fatality—a 55-year-old man who died while combating flames near his village.

Last summer, a severe two-week heatwave led to devastating wildfires, claiming 20 lives. Scientists attribute the increasing length and intensity of heatwaves to human-caused fossil fuel emissions, which are exacerbating wildfire seasons and expanding the areas affected by fires, according to the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.