Greek mayor among three charged over wildfire near Athens

Three individuals, including Greek mayor Giannis Apostolou, have been arrested in connection with a wildfire that ravaged areas near Athens last week. The fire, which began on July 31, is believed to have started from a spark in power cables at a wind farm near Agios Vasileios, a village located 85km northwest of Athens. Apostolou, who owns an electrical installation company linked to the wind farm, along with a contractor for his company and the wind farm owner, face charges of arson and damaging public utilities.

If convicted, they could spend more than ten years in jail. Greece's ANA news agency reported that authorities have suspended operations at the wind farm, situated on the border between Boeotia and Attica regions. The blaze, fueled by wind gusts of up to 130km/h, quickly spread towards the southern slopes of Mount Kithairon and reached a town 40km from Athens.

The wind farm's owner is accused of failing to clear the vegetation surrounding it. The wind farm's installation, which occurred more than ten years ago, had previously faced legal challenges from residents who attempted to block its construction. The fire has not only damaged forests, scrubland, and olive groves but also over 120 buildings and homes in Porto Germeno, a seaside resort on the Gulf of Corinth.

Since the end of July, Greece has experienced multiple wildfires that have resulted in five deaths, including three firefighters. Two crew members of a helicopter battling the flames also lost their lives in a collision with another aircraft. Scientists have long warned that human-induced climate change is prolonging, intensifying, and increasing the frequency of extreme heat and drought periods, creating ideal conditions for wildfires to spread uncontrollably.