Sparks from fireworks set off from a yacht off the coast of the Greek island of Hydra set fire to the island's only pine forest, Greek media reported on Saturday.
The perpetrators on the yacht tried to extinguish the initial flames,but then called the fire brigade and fled the scene.
The area is inaccessible, meaning the firefighters can only extinguish the fire from the air and from the sea and have not yet managed to get it under control.
The mayor of the island was furious about the incident in a television interview. Regardless of the central authorities, the island community itself will also report those involved, he said.
According to the fire brigade, a total of 64 forest and bush fires broke out in Greece within 24 hours.
An area in the north-west of the Peloponnese peninsula was particularly problematic on Saturday. The situation there was still under control, but strong winds were expected by midday, the ERT broadcaster reported, citing the authorities. Seven villages had already been evacuated. Firefighters and volunteers have been battling the flames all night.
Arsonists are rarely caught, but sometimes the authorities are lucky:for example, a man was recently detained after being recorded by several video cameras as he set a fire east of Athens, which took two days to extinguish.
The penalties for deliberate or negligent arson were significantly increased in Greece last year. In addition to fines in the five-figure range, prison sentences of up to 10 years can now even be imposed for negligent arson.
The risk of forest fires in Greece remains high in several regions throughout the weekend, according to the Greek Civil Defence Department. - dpa
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