In Athens, Greece, the fire department has apprehended two individuals on charges of purposely starting fires. This comes as firefighters continue to battle wildfires that have tragically claimed the lives of at least 21 people in the past week.
One of the suspects was arrested on Evia island for igniting a fire in the Karystos area. The man has confessed to starting four additional fires in the same region between July and August. The second suspect was apprehended in Larissa, accused of intentionally setting fire to dried vegetation.
Authorities in Greece have attributed numerous fires to arson, though the exact cause of the largest blazes, which resulted in the majority of casualties, remains uncertain. There has been growing outrage over the actions of these arsonists, with Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias condemning their behavior as despicable and criminal.
The minister revealed that nine fires were deliberately set within a span of four hours in the Avlona area near Athens, which is one of the few remaining green spaces in the capital. At the same time, a major fire was already raging on the southern side of Mount Parnitha and has continued to burn.
Greece has been dealing with an onslaught of fires due to strong winds and dry summer conditions. On Friday alone, firefighters battled 111 blazes, with some growing into massive infernos that destroyed homes and extensive forested areas. Storms and lightning strikes on Saturday triggered additional fires near Athens, but firefighters, including assistance from France and Cyprus, were able to bring them under partial control.
The Evros fire, currently Greece’s largest blaze, has been burning for over a week near Alexandroupolis and has resulted in at least 20 deaths. Authorities have ordered the evacuation of three villages in the area. The victims found in the forest are believed to be migrants who recently crossed the border from Turkey.
To combat these fires, hundreds of firefighters, alongside aircraft and helicopters, have been deployed. Additional blaze outbreaks have occurred, including one on the island of Andros, which led to the evacuation of a village. Greece has requested assistance from other European countries, with Germany, Sweden, Croatia, and Cyprus sending aircraft, and firefighters from various nations offering their help on the ground.
In an effort to prevent wildfires, Greece has implemented regulations from May to October, prohibiting activities like burning dried vegetation and using outdoor barbecues. The fire department has been vigilant in enforcing these regulations, having already arrested 163 people this year for fire-related offenses, including negligence and deliberate arson.
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