Chios wildfires: Authorities investigating possibility of organized arson

The Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Yannis Kefalogiannis held a meeting with all stakeholders on the wildfires in Chios island. Kefalogiannis went to the island due to the alarming situation from the 5 different fire outbreaks.
Kefalogiannis stressed that the state is seriously considering the possibility of organized criminal activity. He noted that since Sunday, authorities have been dealing with simultaneous fires “ in multiple, geographically unconnected parts of the island, a pattern that cannot be considered accidental.”
He also announced the reinforcement of both the fire brigade and the police, adding that military patrols on the island are being doubled.
According to Kefalogiannis, in addition to the 190 firefighters, 11 forestry teams, and 38 vehicles already operating on Chios, 44 more firefighters with 11 vehicles are being deployed. A further 92 firefighters are also being mobilized, 80 of whom are forest rangers. From Piraeus, 110 firefighters with 34 vehicles are being dispatched, along with 30 volunteers and four volunteer vehicles. An additional eight firefighters with two vehicles are arriving from Lesvos.
(Photo: ANA-MPA/Costas Kourgias)