With more fires spreading out of control across Greece, a 24-year-old man who was reportedly upset he couldn’t get a job as a firefighter was arrested and charged with arson for setting a devastating fire that wiped out much of the critical mastic tree industry on the island of Chios.
The man reportedly admitted to setting another 14 wildfires in the northern part of the island, including three last year, but claimed he did not start the first and largest wildfire that broke out in the village of Karyes on Aug. 18. He was to be brought before a prosecutor on charges of multiple arson attacks on forest and agricultural areas. He is the son of a firefighter.
A 61-year-old islander was also arrested and charged with arson in connection with a fire that broke out on Aug. 23 on the island of Zakynthos. According to authorities, indictments have been prepared against 250 people on charges of causing wildfires in agricultural and forest areas – 26 for doing so intentionally and 224 through negligence.
Greece continued to be ravaged by fires, eight of which were still burning on Aug. 27, all across the country, including in Arcadia, Messinia, Lakonia, Thessaloniki, Chalkidiki, Grevena and Florina. Firefighting efforts were continuing with little success. Arson of wooded lands is common in Greece so that they can be developed later.
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