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Nine arrested in Greece for negligence causing fires
🇬🇷 Greece /Crime & Justice

Nine arrested in Greece for negligence causing fires

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Greek authorities arrested nine people over the weekend for negligence leading to fires, with two incidents involving barbecues.
  • Authorities have issued 488 administrative fines totaling approximately 500,000 euros and made 133 arrests in the first six months of the year.
  • Strict penalties, including potential imprisonment, apply if negligence causes fires that destroy forest areas or homes, especially during high-risk periods.

Greek authorities are on high alert due to strong winds and a high fire danger index, yet many individuals continue to engage in risky behavior. Over the weekend alone, nine people were arrested for negligence causing fires, with several cases raising significant concern. The arrests highlight a persistent disregard for fire safety regulations despite clear warnings.

The number of buildings damaged or collapsed amounts to 774, of which 189 completely collapsed.

— Greek Fire ServiceDescribing the impact of fires caused by negligence.

Two notable incidents involved barbecues. In Sofiko, Corinthia, a 76-year-old man was arrested after starting a fire in his yard with a barbecue and a makeshift electrical installation. Similarly, in Nea Makri, a 79-year-old man was apprehended for using a barbecue on a day with a very high fire risk, incurring an administrative fine of 3,000 euros.

In Sofiko, Corinthia, a 76-year-old man was arrested for having lit a barbecue and made a makeshift electrical installation in his yard, resulting in a fire.

— Ta NeaReporting on one of the weekend's fire-related arrests.

These incidents contribute to a worrying trend. In the first six months of the year, 488 administrative fines, totaling around 500,000 euros, have been imposed. Additionally, 133 arrests have been made under the immediate apprehension process. Statistics reveal that 94% of these cases involve fires caused by negligence, with only 6% attributed to intentional arson.

In Nea Makri, a 79-year-old man was also arrested for lighting a barbecue on a day of very high fire risk, and was fined 3,000 euros.

— Ta NeaDetailing another arrest related to barbecue use during high fire risk.

The penalties for such actions are severe. Fines start at 3,000 euros. If a fire caused by negligence destroys forest areas or homes on days with a high fire risk (level 4 or 5), the act can be treated as gross negligence, carrying significant criminal consequences, including potential imprisonment. Past cases illustrate this, such as a woman in Chios who was imprisoned for throwing a lit cigarette during a high-risk period, and two men in Feneos, Corinthia, who faced charges after using a grinder in a forest area, causing a fire that burned approximately 10,000 acres.

The fines start from 3,000 euros, and when, on days with a fire risk index of 4 or 5, a fire is caused by negligence that destroys forest area or homes, the act can be treated as gross negligence, with serious criminal consequences that can even lead to imprisonment.

— Ta NeaExplaining the strict legal penalties for causing fires through negligence.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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