Two individuals have been detained in connection with a large wildfire that broke out Tuesday afternoon, July 22, near Kastania in Corinthia, triggering widespread evacuations.
Authorities are investigating reports that the suspects had been performing hot work, including grinding and welding, close to where the fire began.
The blaze, which started around 3.15 pm in a forested area near the village, remains out of control and is being fuelled by high temperatures nearing 40°C.
More than 180 firefighters, supported by 15 planes and 12 helicopters, are battling the flames across several villages, including Kastania, Lafka, Karteri and Stymfalia.
Corinth Mayor Spyros Stamatopoulos confirmed that “the village of Kastania is burning.”
Meanwhile, the fire department also reported a separate incident near Athens, where a firefighting helicopter crashed into the sea. All three crew members were rescued and taken to hospital.
