Thirteen people have been arrested after authorities claim a forest fire on the Greek island of Hydra was sparked by fireworks launched from a superyacht.
Greek Climate Crisis Minister Vassilis Kikilias said Friday's fire had burned 300 acres of the only pine forest on the popular tourist island south of Athens.
The flames were brought under control, but with difficulty. With no roads leading to the beach, firefighters had to access it by sea, with helicopters dropping water from the air.
Greek media reported that those arrested were all crew members of the superyacht Persephone. Summer charters are available from €249,000 (£211,200, $269,300) per week, according to several online luxury yacht dealers.
Prosecutors requested the seizure of the vessel, Mr. Kikilias said.
Citing court documents, several local media outlets reported that the visitors on board the yacht were 17 Kazakh nationals who have since left Greece, but the BBC could not independently confirm this.
On Sunday morning, the crew was filmed walking into the Piraeus prosecutor's office, wearing matching work clothes and covering their faces with sunglasses, masks and hats.
A dispute is brewing between the Greek Coast Guard and the Fire Service.
Local media reported that fire officials were relying on statements from the captain of a nearby vessel who reportedly saw fireworks or fireworks being launched from the Persephone, but the Coast Guard said there was no evidence of this.
