Rhodes: Wildfires broke out on the Greek tourist islands of Rhodes and Corfu, prompting firefighting operations by air and land, authorities said on Saturday. In a statement, the Greek fire service reported that 25 firefighters, eight vehicles, and a helicopter were deployed to combat a blaze in a scrubland area in Ataviros on Rhodes. Volunteer groups and civil protection teams also joined the efforts.

According to Anadolu Agency, on Corfu, 24 firefighters, a ground crew, volunteers, and six vehicles were responding to the fire that erupted in an agricultural and forested area near a residential zone. Two firefighting aircraft and a helicopter were also dispatched to the area. The fire service mentioned that four individuals were detained in connection with three separate fires caused by negligence in the regions of Argolida, Kavala, and Corinth. All suspects were detained under in flagrante delicto procedures, while investigations into the incidents continue.

Since the start of the year, Greek authorities have imposed 513 administrative fines over forest fires, totaling £619,569 (around $708,000), and detained 155 people. Of those detained, 142 were processed on suspicion of negligence and 13 on suspicion of arson. The fire service emphasized that human negligence remains the leading cause of forest fires and urged citizens to strictly observe fire safety rules throughout the wildfire season.