Greek Authorities File Charges Against Woman for Unintentional Arson in Chios Wildfire Caused by Discarded Cigarette | Greece

A Georgian woman accused of accidentally starting one of the wildfires that have devastated the eastern Aegean island of Chios is set to face charges of unintentional arson. According to Greek fire brigade officials, the woman, who works as a housekeeper on Chios, confessed to causing the blaze when she negligently threw away a cigarette. Lt Constantine Kozanis from the island confirmed that the woman will be tried on Thursday and is currently in detention. The woman admitted to throwing a cigarette, which sparked one of the fires. Widespread blazes have been ravaging Chios since Sunday, leading to a state of emergency and the evacuation of over a dozen villages. The fires have consumed more than 40,000 hectares of the island, and authorities suspect some blazes may have been deliberately started due to their simultaneous occurrence in different areas. Efforts are being made to protect mastic villages, known for their mastic resin production. The fires are reportedly in decline but not yet fully contained. Greece, a Mediterranean hotspot for climate change, has seen a significant rise in wildfires due to higher temperatures and drier conditions. The government has increased penalties for arson and environmental damage, with prison terms of up to 20 years and fines of up to €200,000. The country is currently experiencing its first summer heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach up to 40°C in the coming days.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/26/greece-wildfires-chios-island-ntwnfb