Fireworks from yacht spark fire on Greek island

Greek authorities have arrested 13 people after fireworks launched while partying from yacht sparked a forest fire on an island near Athens.

The fire has now been controlled, however, a vast area of land has been destroyed. It was the only pine forest on the renowned tourist island of Hydra, BBC reported.

As the island is connected via sea, there were no roads, making it difficult for the firefighters to control, who had to use helicopters to drop water from the air.

The arrested men will be presented before prosecutors on Sunday.

The cause of the fire has prompted an outrage in Greece, which is already battling with wildfires and heatwaves.

Greece since Tuesday has been on a high alert due to heatwaves. A 55-year-old firefighter passed away on Friday due to injuries from fighting a fire in the southern region of Ilia.

The Hydra wildfire has garnered attention and condemnation from all parts of the country, and many people have started calling out for tougher legal actions against such "irresponsible" people.

Hydra’s Mayor Giorgos Koukoudakis, reacting to the news, said, "We are indignant that some people so irresponsibly throw fireworks into a pine forest."