Greek firefighting authorities arrested 20 people in just five days, from July 1 to July 5, all on charges of negligentl...

Greek firefighting authorities arrested 20 people in just five days, from July 1 to July 5, all on charges of negligently starting fires. The Fire Corps says those 20 arrests represent 12.2% of all fire-related arrests recorded since January 1, meaning more than one in ten arrests for the entire year happened in the first five days of July alone. The arrests cover a range of negligent acts carried out under high fire-danger conditions. Investigators linked cases to hot works, use of angle grinders and spark-producing tools, agricultural machinery, and the illegal burning of crop and vegetation residue. Alongside the arrests, authorities issued 20 administrative fines totaling just over 55,000 euros. Cases were investigated across multiple regions including Chalkidiki, Trikala, Atalanti, Thessaloniki, Grevena, Kilkis, and Oreokastro. One of the more serious incidents took place in Atalanti, Fthiotis, where a fire broke out during harvester operations and spread rapidly into forested land, burning a large number of acres. In Oreokastro, Thessaloniki, a major fire on the night of July 4 destroyed businesses and caused significant property damage. Investigators from Athens were dispatched to assist the local unit, and within hours a 76-year-old Greek national was arrested and charged with causing the fire. The Fire Corps issued a firm statement warning that negligence and arson will be met with zero tolerance. The service said dry vegetation, high temperatures, and localized strong winds mean even a moment of carelessness can trigger a serious fire, and controls will continue at full intensity throughout the season with immediate arrest procedures applied wherever violations are found. #Greece #Wildfires #FireSafety