A Greek power grid official has been charged with arson by omission after a wildfire in Crete killed two firefighters la...

A Greek power grid official has been charged with arson by omission after a wildfire in Crete killed two firefighters last Tuesday. The Rethymno prosecutor filed the charge of arson with contingent intent against the local network operations manager of DEDDIE, the Greek electricity distribution network operator. The suspect was arrested late Thursday night by investigators from the Fire Service's Arson Crimes Unit and was given a deadline to appear and give testimony by Friday afternoon. According to the investigation, medium-voltage power lines mounted on two wooden utility poles near Kryia Vrysis, roughly five meters from a rural road, reportedly showed severe oscillation due to strong winds in the area. Authorities believe the swinging cables generated sparks, which then ignited the blaze. The fire broke out on July 29 in the Kryia Vrysis area outside Rethymno and quickly proved catastrophic. Two firefighters lost their lives battling the flames, and the case has drawn intense scrutiny over whether the power infrastructure was properly maintained and monitored before conditions deteriorated. The charge of arson by omission with contingent intent is significant under Greek law, as it implies the accused may have been aware of a risk and failed to act. The case is being treated as a criminal matter rather than a simple accident. #Crete #Greece #Wildfire