Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • All Woman
  • Career & Education
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Classifieds
  • Design Week
13 arrested after yacht fireworks trigger Greek forest fire
A firefighter looks at smoke from the roof of a fire vehicle after a wildfire broke out in Kitsi, a southern suburb of Athens on June 19, 2024. An early heatwave has already gripped Greece, prompting authorities there to close the Athens Acropolis and other tourist attractions during the hottest hours of the day. (Photo by Sotiris DIMITROPOULOS / Eurokinissi / AFP) / - Greece OUT / ----IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE-----
International News, Latest News
June 22, 2024

13 arrested after yacht fireworks trigger Greek forest fire

ATHENS, Greece (AFP)— Greek authorities on Saturday arrested 13 people after fireworks launched from a yacht set off a new wildfire on an island near Athens as the country confronts a new season of deadly summer fires.

The mayor of the island of Hydra expressed “outrage” after the fire was started late Friday and vowed legal action against those responsible.

Dozens of wildfires in Greece this week have left at least one person dead already.

The latest blaze was “caused by fireworks launched from a boat and burned the only pine forest on the island in a place that is difficult to access and has no road,” Hydra’s firefighting team said on Facebook.

Thirteen people accused of involvement in the fireworks have been arrested after a fire service inquiry and will be presented before a prosecutor on Sunday, said a fire service statement.

No details on the suspects were given. Greece has toughened its penalties for arson, with perpetrators now facing up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to 200,000 euros ($214,000).

On top of calling for legal action against “irresponsible” people behind the fireworks, Hydra’s Mayor Giorgos Koukoudakis told the ERT public broadcaster that authorities had to create more anti-fire zones and roads through forests.

Another fire raged Saturday on the island of Andros, emergency services said. Four villages were evacuated and planes and helicopters were brought in to water bomb the flames.

The civil protection service called for extreme vigilance because the risk of fires was “very high”, particularly in the Attica region, the Peloponnese peninsula and in central Greece.

Greece has been bracing for a difficult summer as authorities warn that strong winds and high temperatures have increased the danger.

After its warmest winter ever, the Mediterranean country recorded its first heatwave of the year last week, with temperatures rising above 44 degrees Celsius (111 Fahrenheit) in some locations.

Firefighters on Friday battled wildfires fanned by three days of fierce winds that left at least one person dead, a 55-year-old man who collapsed and died while fighting flames around his village.

Last year, a fierce two-week heatwave was followed by devastating wildfires in which 20 people died.

Scientists warn that fossil fuel emissions caused by humans are worsening the length and intensity of heatwaves around the world.

Rising temperatures are leading to extended wildfire seasons and increasing the area burned by the blazes, according to the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Comments are closed

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Quadruple chasing Arsenal rout Wigan to reach FA Cup fifth round
International, Latest News, Sports
Quadruple chasing Arsenal rout Wigan to reach FA Cup fifth round
February 15, 2026
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) —  Arsenal powered into the FA Cup fifth round for the first time in six years as the quadruple chasers crushed Wigan 4-0...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Former state ward appeals for funding to support law school dreams
Latest News, News
Former state ward appeals for funding to support law school dreams
February 15, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — A high-achieving former ward of the state is appealing for public assistance to continue her journey to become an attorney. Vaness...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Shell apartments an answer to Jamaica’s housing affordability crisis?
Business, Latest News
Shell apartments an answer to Jamaica’s housing affordability crisis?
JULIAN RICHARDSON, Online content manager, richardsonj@jamaicaobserver.com 
February 15, 2026
Are shell apartments an answer to the affordability crisis in Jamaica’s housing market? Kingston-based real estate firm Spark FDI (name being changed ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Britain celebrate first-ever Olympic gold on snow after snowboard win
Latest News, Sports
Britain celebrate first-ever Olympic gold on snow after snowboard win
February 15, 2026
LIVIGNO, Italy (AFP) — Great Britain celebrated their first-ever Winter Olympics gold on snow on Sunday after Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale tea...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
‘Wuthering Heights’ debuts atop North America box office, GOAT in second spot
Entertainment, Latest News
‘Wuthering Heights’ debuts atop North America box office, GOAT in second spot
February 15, 2026
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Wuthering Heights , Emerald Fennell's steamy adaptation of the classic Emily Bronte novel, charmed moviegoers in No...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Rayo thrash Atletico who ‘deserved to lose’
Latest News, Sports
Rayo thrash Atletico who ‘deserved to lose’
February 15, 2026
MADRID, Spain (AFP) — Rayo Vallecano waltzed to a 3-0 victory over Atletico Madrid on Sunday in La Liga, leaving Diego Simeone's side 15 points behind...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
US forces board ship in Indian Ocean that fled Caribbean blockade — Pentagon
Latest News, Regional
US forces board ship in Indian Ocean that fled Caribbean blockade — Pentagon
February 15, 2026
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US forces boarded an oil tanker in the Indian Ocean that violated President Donald Trump's blockade of sanctioned ve...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Barbados’ Cabinet to be sworn in Monday
Latest News, Regional
Barbados’ Cabinet to be sworn in Monday
February 15, 2026
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — Following last week’s general election in Barbados, the swearing-in ceremony for members of Cabinet and Parliamentarians ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Comments are closed.

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct