The crew members of the yacht “Persephone” are facing arson charges with possible intent, a felony offense. They were brought before the examining magistrate and have requested and received an extension to testify on Wednesday.

According to reports, the Piraeus prosecutor has filed felony charges of arson with possible intent against the 13 crew members of the yacht “Persephone” for the fire caused by fireworks in a forested area of Hydra on Friday night.

The 13 individuals have been referred to the examining magistrate and have requested and received an extension to prepare their testimonies, which they will deliver on Wednesday.

Earlier on Sunday morning, Minister of Civil Protection Vassilis Kikilias mentioned that under the new penal code, the penalty for arson causing ecological damage is imprisonment ranging from 10 to 20 years.

Fire Burns 300 Acres

Earlier on Sunday, Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Vassilis Kikilias, stated that the irresponsible individuals who caused the fire in Hydra by launching fireworks from the yacht “Persephone” on Friday night burned a total of 300 acres of forest.

Speaking to OPEN TV on Sunday morning, Mr. Kikilias noted, “According to testimonies, some private individuals with fireworks managed to burn 300 acres. We needed six aerial units and two forest commando teams to tackle the blaze, resources that were diverted from other fronts.”