Authorities have arrested a 45-year-old Ukrainian national in connection with an intentional fire that broke out on Friday, 26 June 2026, near Chania, on the island of Crete. According to preliminary findings, the woman started the blaze at approximately 12:45 p.m. at a site known as ‘Moni Agiou Georgiou’ in the Charodia Mournion area — a roadside slope where she was burning tree trimmings using an open flame.
Ignition Amid Dry Vegetation
The Hellenic Fire Service stated that the suspect personally arranged combustible materials into a pile and set them alight with an open flame on dry grassland, creating a serious risk of wildfire ignition and spread. Dense forest vegetation was located just meters away from the burning site.
After setting the fire, she fled the scene in a vehicle bearing Ukrainian license plates. Through swift investigative action by officers from the Chania branch of the Directorate for the Investigation of Arson Crimes (DIAEE), and with support from the Hellenic Police, the vehicle was located parked in the courtyard of a residence in Chania. The suspect was apprehended shortly thereafter, confessed to the act, and a criminal file has been compiled against her.
She is currently being transferred to the competent public prosecutor under Greece’s expedited judicial procedure for flagrant offenses.
National Enforcement Statistics
From 1 January to 27 June 2026, Greek authorities have issued a total of 480 administrative fines amounting to €544,579.79 and carried out 126 arrests under the expedited procedure. Of those arrests, 118 (93.65%) involved fires caused by negligence, while eight (6.35%) were deliberate acts of arson.
The DIAEE and investigative units of the Hellenic Fire Service remain on high operational alert, conducting intensive inspections and moving swiftly to assign responsibility wherever violations are identified.