Israeli Tourist Arrested in Crete for Causing Wildfire by Lighting Barbecue Despite Ban

A 35-year-old Israeli tourist was arrested on Saturday in Crete on suspicion of causing a wildfire by lighting a barbecue at a rented vacation villa despite explicit bans. The fire broke out on Friday at 19:11 near the village of Sellia, close to the resort town of Plakias in the Agios Vasilios municipality, southern Rethymno region. Greek fire investigation units found that the fire originated in the villa's yard where the Israeli group was staying. Despite verbal and written warnings from the villa owner about the high fire risk and a strict prohibition on barbecues, the tourists allegedly ignited the grill. Sparks carried by strong winds ignited dry vegetation, rapidly spreading the fire into open areas.

More than 60 firefighters, three specialized forest fire units, dozens of vehicles, firefighting helicopters, water tankers, and volunteers responded to the blaze. The national emergency system 112 issued alerts and ordered the preventive evacuation of the nearby villages Fotinari and Souda. Firefighters managed to contain the fire after about four hours. The Israeli tourist is expected to appear before a judge in Rethymno today for a detention extension hearing.