Israeli violates ban, sparks emergency in Greece
A 35-year-old Israeli was arrested on Crete on suspicion of lighting a grill despite a ban and causing a forest fire. The fire led to the evacuation of two settlements. The man is to be brought before a court in Rethymno on Sunday.
A 35-year-old Israeli tourist was arrested on Saturday on Crete on suspicion of causing a forest and brush fire. According to investigators, the man lit a barbecue in the yard of a rented villa despite a direct ban. Before this, vacationers were warned verbally and in writing that due to the extremely high fire danger, the use of grills in this area was prohibited. On Sunday, the man is to appear before a court in Rethymno, which will consider extending his detention. The fire started on Friday at 19:11 near the village of Sellia, close to the resort town of Plakias, in the municipality of Agios Vasileios in the south of the Rethymno regional unit. The fire spread quickly due to wind, and more than 60 firefighters, three specialized units, helicopters, and water tankers were sent to extinguish it. A preventive evacuation of the settlements of Fotinari and Souda was carried out. The fire was brought under control in about four hours. This incident occurred against the backdrop of a severe wildfire season in Greece: about two weeks ago, a large fire raged in the Rethymno area, burning about 45,000 dunams, evacuating more than 8,000 people, and killing two firefighters. After a series of fires, Greek authorities have adopted a policy of zero tolerance for violations of fire safety rules, with violators facing heavy fines and criminal prosecution.