Greece records 13 arrests for negligent fire‑starting incidents

The Greek Fire Service announced a record number of arrests for fires caused by negligence over the two‑day period of 15‑16 July 2026. Nine people were detained on 15 July in eight different regions, and four more were arrested on 16 July, bringing the total to 13 – the highest count recorded in such a short span. The incidents occurred across the country, including Crete (Chania, Heraklion), Thessaloniki, Boeotia, Kavala, Achaea, Rodopi, Kilkis and the Attica region. Causes ranged from sparks generated by a vehicle wheel, use of grills, fireworks, burning agricultural waste, to clearing work that ignited dry vegetation. In Kilkis, a 63‑year‑old truck driver sparked a fire that burned about 2.5 decares of grass and 7.5 decares of farmland, while a 45‑year‑old man set fire to dry grass during clearing, burning roughly half a decare. Since the start of the year, 569 administrative fines totalling €771,204.44 have been issued and 193 arrests made, 91.7 % of which relate to negligence. The Fire Service stressed that the overwhelming majority of fires stem from careless human behaviour and called for stricter adherence to fire‑safety measures to protect lives, property and the environment.