A devastating fire ripped through Hydra's unique pine forest, leaving a cloud of suspicion hanging over the cause. Eyewitness accounts directly contradict the claims of the crew on board a luxury yacht docked nearby, intensifying the confusion.
Several witnesses on a passing boat reported hearing loud bangs – around 10-15 – before the fire erupted. They emphasized not seeing any fireworks being launched. Their account paints a concerning picture: they observed a tender from the yacht repeatedly going back and forth to the shore, carrying beach bags. Later, they spotted a fire extinguisher on the yacht's deck and a strange white stain in the water.
The crew members of the yacht " Persephone" maintain complete innocence. They claim to have been completely oblivious to the fire and entirely absorbed in watching the EURO 2024 football match during this critical time.
Despite the crew's claims, authorities haven't ruled them out as suspects. All 13 crew members now face serious criminal charges of arson in a forest area. They were arrested and are scheduled to appear before a prosecutor on Wednesday, June 26th. If found guilty, they could face a prison sentence of up to 20 years and a hefty fine.
The fire, which broke out on Friday, June 21st, inflicted significant damage on Hydra's irreplaceable pine forest. Firefighters managed to extinguish it before further destruction. The yacht "Persephone," chartered by Kazakh nationals, docked in Vouliagmeni on Saturday afternoon, where the crew was promptly arrested. The authorities confiscated the yacht as part of the investigation.
Hydra's Mayor, Giorgos Koukoudakis, highlighted the need to expand the island's anti-fire zones and build more access roads to improve future firefighting efforts.
