Greek mayor among three charged over wildfire near Athens
Investigators believe the wildfire began from a spark caused by power cables at a wind farm linked to the mayor’s electrical installation company.
Greek authorities have charged the mayor of Stylida, an electrical installation company contractor, and the owner of a nearby wind farm with arson and damaging public utilities over a wildfire that devastated areas near Athens. The fire, allegedly sparked by a power cable at the wind farm on July 31, quickly spread due to strong winds, reaching a town 40 kilometers from Athens.
If convicted, the three individuals could face over a decade in prison. The wind farm, located on the border between Boeotia and Attica, was accused of failing to clear surrounding vegetation. This is not the first incident at the wind farm; a fire had previously broken out on the same power line in June. Greece has experienced numerous wildfires in recent weeks, causing five deaths, including three firefighters, and damaging over 120 buildings.
The country's climate change experts warn that such extreme heatwaves and droughts will become more frequent, creating conditions conducive to wildfires.
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