Greek authorities have arrested 13 crew members of a superyacht on suspicion that fireworks launched from the vessel caused a fire that damaged the only forest on the island of Hydra. The yacht, believed to be the Persephoni, rents for around $270,000 per week during the summer season. The passengers of the yacht, 17 citizens of Kazakhstan, have already left Greece.
The incident has caused outrage in Greece as the country faces severe fires during the summer months. Since there are no roads on the island of Hydra, helicopters were used to extinguish the fire. The mayor of Hydra, Georgios Koukoudakis, expressed disbelief at the irresponsible act of launching fireworks into a pine forest.
In response to the incident, Greek authorities are taking measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The damage to the forest on Hydra is a significant loss for the island and highlights the importance of responsible behavior and fire safety in preserving Greece’s natural landscapes.
