Captain Of The Cruise Ship Detained Ahead Of The Greek Forest Fire Trial Due To Fireworks

JAKARTA - The Greek judicial authority detained the captain and cruise crew before the trial of a forest fire case on the island of Hydra which is believed to have been triggered by fireworks.

Reported by CNN, Thursday, June 27, the two men and the entire cruise crew denied wrongdoing. Eleven other crew members were released on bail and restrictions.

The 13 crew members of a cruise ship from Greece, moored 350 meters from the coast when the fire broke out, were arrested on Sunday, June 23 in a marine near Athens and charged with triggering a fire.

All reiterated their refusal to the allegation before the judge of the investigation at the Piraeus court on Wednesday, June 26.

Cruise ship operator Salaminia Yachting Limited said it strongly believes in the integrity and sincerity of the crew, which denies involvement in the incident, according to a statement quoted by the Athens News agency.

Legal sources said previously there was not enough evidence to link the crew to the case.

Moreover, the captain of the ship is said to be the first to inform authorities about the fire.

Forest fires often occur in the Mediterranean country, but forest fires become more frequent and devastating due to hotter, drier, and windy conditions, which scientists attribute to climate change.

Greece, in recent years, has increased penalties for arson perpetrators.

The fire, believed to have been triggered by fireworks, occurred on Friday night and devoured nearly 300,000 square meters of pine forest on the island before firefighters extinguished the fire on Saturday, June 22 morning.