What Crew Members Say About Persefoni-I

Greek authorities have officially charged eight adult passengers from Kazakhstan aboard the 'Persefoni I' yacht with complicity in arson related to a devastating fire on the picturesque Saronic island of Hydra last week. Notably, two minors among the group are not facing charges. Following the incident, Greek officials have reached out to Kazakhstan for assistance, as the yacht’s renters departed Greece without being questioned. This development arose after new evidence emerged during a forensic investigation initiated by the local prosecutor at the fire scene. Firefighters discovered remnants of fireworks in the cove where the blaze originated, bolstering suspicions of foul play. In the meantime, the yacht's captain and first mate are currently in custody, while several crew members who were detained have since been released on bail, subject to specific restrictions. Meanwhile, the Piraeus Public Prosecutor’s Office has opened a preliminary investigation into the response of firefighting and port authorities regarding the fire incident, particularly looking into any lapses that allowed the yacht’s lessees to leave Greece amid ongoing inquiries into their potential involvement.

The crew members of the yacht 'Persefoni I' are gearing up to contest arson accusations in a court hearing scheduled for June 26. They are being implicated in a devastating forest fire that erupted on Hydra island on the evening of June 21. This blaze, believed to have been ignited by aerial fireworks, ravaged nearly 300,000 square meters of the island's cherished pine forest before firefighters managed to bring it under control early on June 22. Thirteen Greek crew members were taken into custody on June 23 at a marina in Athens, facing serious charges related to the fire. Despite the gravity of the allegations, all crew members have denied any involvement and are anticipated to reaffirm their innocence before an investigating magistrate at the Piraeus court. The judge overseeing the case will determine whether the crew will be released or remain in custody while awaiting trial. Interestingly, the captain of the 'Persefoni I' was the first to notify authorities about the flames, an act that may bolster their defense. Eyewitnesses reported seeing thick smoke and flames shortly after hearing loud, explosive sounds resembling fireworks around 10:30 p.m. local time, as indicated by court documents. Additionally, a rubber boat was observed navigating towards the yacht amidst the fast-spreading fire. For more updates and visuals from the incident, check the full report here: [https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/yacht-crew-expected-to-deny-arson-charges-over-fire-on-greek-island/ar-BB1oUz6B?item=themed_featuredapps_enable](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/yacht-crew-expected-to-deny-arson-charges-over-fire-on-greek-island/ar-BB1oUz6B?item=themed_featuredapps_enable).

On June 26, 2023, as 13 crew members of the yacht 'Persefoni I' braced to face a magistrate regarding their alleged role in igniting a significant wildfire on Hydra, it emerged that some clients of the yacht, including prominent Kazakh oligarchs linked to the former corrupt president and the national oil company, were permitted to exit Greece without facing any interrogation. Despite the ongoing investigation into the incident, which resulted in extensive damage to a vital pine forest on the picturesque island, these individuals, who possibly instigated the fire with fireworks, faced no questions regarding their involvement. The yacht was subsequently escorted to Vouliagmeni harbor near Athens and has since been impounded as authorities delve deeper into the circumstances surrounding the blaze. The crew is currently in custody awaiting trial, facing serious charges of arson by negligence—a crime that could lead to significant fines and long-term imprisonment. Investigators from the Fire Service are focusing on eyewitness accounts that suggest the fire may have originated from fireworks ignited by the yacht's clients or on their instructions while the vessel was situated in a sheltered bay off Hydra. Reports indicate that the crew may have attempted to extinguish the fire shortly after it broke out. For further details, visit the report at https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/environment/1242346/as-yacht-crew-faces-magistrate-over-hydra-fire-clients-allowed-to-flee/