A 35-year-old drone operator was arrested and fined for allegedly causing a wildfire in Glyka Nera village, Northeast Attica, on Wednesday. He faces charges of arson by negligence with the aggravating circumstance of causing a large-scale fire.
The Fire Service imposed an administrative fine of 4,675 euros on the operator, who is scheduled to appear before an Athens prosecutor.
Authorities detained the man and three other individuals attempting to flee the wildfire zone, a dense forest at the foot of Hymettus mountain. Witnesses reported seeing a spark before the fire erupted, suggesting a potential drone battery malfunction.
Media reports indicate that all four detainees are employees of a private drone manufacturing and sales company. Investigators are working to determine if any other individuals were involved in the drone's test flight.
Fortunately, swift deployment of ground and aerial firefighting forces contained the blaze within two hours.