On Saturday noon, the tourist rental boat “Persephone” sailed into the marina of Vouliagmeni coming from the island of Hydra. Reports have been made to the Hydra Port Authorities suggesting that fireworks causing Friday night’s fire originated from this vessel.

According to these reports, the vessel was identified in a complaint to the Hydra Port Authority by the captain of a nearby ship on Friday night. Following this, the Fire Brigade took over the investigation. Today, the Fire Brigade’s investigative department has requested the Hydra Port Authority to obtain a detailed statement from the captain about the events he witnessed on Friday night and the circumstances that led to the fire in the island’s unique forest.

According to information so far, the tourist yacht had been chartered by a party of 17 foreigners who are expected to be taken directly for a statement. Indeed, according to information from the Coast Guard, the interrogation has been taken over by the investigative department of the Fire Department.

At the moment, the Fire Department’s investigative unit is leading the investigation, the Coast Guard said in a statement, however, if the prosecutor gives a different order we are ready to assist within the framework of cooperation between the two agencies.

As protothema.gr wrote when the occupants of the boat realized what they had done, they tried to put out the fire and, when they failed, they were content to alert the fire brigade and left.

See photos from the scene

According to the latest update from the fire department, the fire in a rough spot in the Bisty area has been contained.

See the location of the Persephone on Friday

Rage in Hydra

“We are outraged that some people so irresponsibly throw fireworks in the forest,” said the mayor of Hydra, Giorgos Koukoudakis, on Saturday morning.

He said the municipality will take civil action against those who caused the fire when they are identified by authorities.

“We are at the peak of the tourist season, it is good that everyone is responsible for what they do,” the mayor of Hydra added, speaking to ERT