Greece forest fire: Anger after yacht fireworks spark fire in Hydra

Thirteen people have been arrested following a forest fire on the Greek island of Hydra, which authorities say was started by fireworks launched from a yacht.

Friday's fire ravaged the only pine forest on the popular tourist island, located south of Athens, officials wrote on Facebook.

It is now under control, but with difficulty. As there is no road to the beach, firefighters had to access it by sea, while helicopters dropped water from the air.

In a statement released Saturday, Greek firefighters said the 13 people were Greek citizens and would appear before prosecutors on Sunday. The press release does not mention the yacht.

The cause of the fire has sparked outrage in Greece, which is already battling several wildfires and is in the grip of its first heatwave of the year.

“We are outraged that some people are so irresponsibly throwing fireworks into a pine forest,” Hydra Mayor Giorgos Koukoudakis told Greek broadcaster ERT.

Criticism was also expressed on social media: “Rich people with more money than brains,” one person wrote.

Greece has been on high alert for wildfires since Tuesday and authorities are bracing for a tough summer as dry conditions, high winds and high temperatures are expected to persist.

A 55-year-old volunteer firefighter died from his injuries while fighting a blaze in the southern Ilia region of the Peloponnese peninsula on Friday.

Summer wildfires are common in Greece and scientists have linked the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including heatwaves, to climate change.

But the country also has a problem with arsonists: at least 79 people were arrested last August following deadly forest fires.

Earlier this year, Greece passed tougher arson laws, with perpetrators facing up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to €200,000 (£169,000; $213,850).