No Kazakh citizens among those detained in Greece in connection with fire on island of Hydra - MFA
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan commented on the information that tourists from Kazakhstan could be involved in a forest fire on the island of Hydra, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
“The police reported that there were no Kazakh citizens among the detained and no claims were made against them either,” the department said. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan clarified that the Kazakh consul immediately after the publication of this information contacted the Greek authorities on this case.
Earlier, Greek media outlet Tovima reported that Greek authorities had arrested 13 crew members and passengers on a yacht on Saturday after fireworks launched from the vessel allegedly sparked a forest fire on the island of Hydra. According to Tovima, the megayacht was rented by a group of vacationers from Kazakhstan.
The fire started around midnight on Friday and spread through a pine forest in the remote Bisti area on the only forested area of the arid island of Hydra, located off the eastern coast of the Peloponnese. The pleasure craft, identified as the charter vessel Persephone, was seized by the Greek coast guard while it was anchored off the south-eastern marina in the Athens area on Saturday.
The volunteer fire brigade quickly arrived at the scene by boat, despite the rough seas. Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control with the help of additional air support arriving early Saturday morning.
All the suspects were due to appear before a local prosecutor in Piraeus on Sunday on charges of reckless arson causing significant damage, according to the fire brigade. Fire officers took statements from crew members and passengers on board the vessel, requesting the charter agreement for the specific voyage and information about whether the yacht's owner was aware of the presence of fireworks on board. Authorities also demanded a license to set off fireworks, which was not available, and specified where and when they were purchased.
