The 13 crew members of the yacht “Perséphone”, detained by firefighters as being responsible for the fire, which broke out in a forest area, in the Bisti region, are being presented to the investigator at this time in order to apologize. on the island of Hydra, on the night of June 21st.
A criminal case has been instituted against them. All 13 are facing heavy penalties, for arson in a forest area, with possible intent.
The Chronicles
The yacht was rented by people from Kazakhstan, who were on vacation in Greece.
It should be remembered that his arrest was carried out on Saturday, by agents of the Fire Crimes Division (DAEE) of the Fire Department, who examined the marks of the ships that were sailing in the area.
In this case, the Hydra Port Authority collected all the data from the boats that were in the maritime area patrolled by a Coast Guard boat, as a boat captain from an adjacent bay had reported that in the area where the fire broke out, fireworks had fallen from a boat.
He gave a detailed statement to the Fire Department, which should play a fundamental role in the continuation of the case.
Fireworks and fire – ring
Two eyewitnesses who were on board a yacht in the nearby bay of “Nikleotis” testified that before the fire broke out on the pine-covered hillside in ‘Hydra, they heard 15 to 20 clicks and saw flashes in the sky.
“I was sitting on the deck of the boat when I heard booms coming from a nearby bay and saw reflections of light in the sky like flashes of fireworks. In total, the explosions were 15 to 20 in a row and simultaneous with the flames”, testified the Greek governor and eyewitness, as reported by ERT.
Then, as the 40-year-old captain said, he took the yacht’s escort boat and with a sailor they arrived close to the Persephone yacht.
“There was smoke and fire like a 150 m long ring above the sea”
“We approached the boat to a distance of 15 to 20 meters and called if they needed help, but the passengers and crew did not respond. There was smoke and fire like a 150-meter-long ring above the sea. The atmosphere was dark and suffocating due to the thick smoke and we could not get a clear picture,” said the captain and eyewitness.
The announcement of the management company
“SALAMINIA YACHTING LTD” in its announcement about the case states “that the company provides high quality boat rental services, strictly observing all safety conditions provided for in international and Greek legislation.
The fire that occurred on the island of Hydra on 06/21/2024, in which any involvement of the crew of the vessel “PERSEFONI I” owned by us is being investigated, is being investigated by the competent judicial bodies, and we await the result of this investigation.
He also emphasizes that, based on objective consideration of the data obtained to date in the above investigation, he maintains absolute confidence in the integrity and honesty of the crew of the above vessel in relation to their non-involvement in causing the fire.”
In the statement, the company highlights that it will continue to assist the authorities in clarifying the case in question and discovering the real truth, as this will come from evidence and not from questionable estimates and selective assessments, while reserving all its legal rights. .