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Busy arsonist confesses to Peloponnese firesA 30-year-old man who has allegedly confessed to deliberately setting several fires – some of them extremely destructive – in different parts of Messinia in the southwestern Peloponnese was remanded in custody on Monday. The unnamed man, a resident of the area, was questioned last week by Fire Service investigators and arrested over the weekend in connection with a blaze in the village of Iamia last Wednesday. He reportedly went on to confess to setting another fire the day before, which burned 3 hectares of land, as well as a blaze in Chrysokellaria in June last year that razed 250 hectares of mostly farmland and a big fire in Vasilitsi in 2021 that destroyed 400 hectares, as well as 22 houses and farms. The suspect did not appear to provide a motive for his actions.
Travel firms accused of profiteering as Greek wildfires rageGovernment under pressure to put blighted island on a ‘do not travel list’ to deter holidaymakersTravel firms continuing flights to Rhodes have been accused of “profiteering” as the Government came under increased pressure to put the fire-ravaged Greek island on a “do not travel list”.Consumer groups and politicians said earlier that if the Government didn’t change the advice, travellers faced the option of flying into a natural disaster zone, or losing hundreds of pounds.Consumer group Which? said without a foreign office warning, travellers who don’t want to travel but are refused flexibility to rebook are likely to be left holding the bill for acting sensibly.
Greece 'at war' with wildfires as up to '10,000 British holidaymakers' stuck on Rhodes
Rhodes blaze claiming lives of island’s iconic fallow deerRhodes’ iconic fallow deer – statues of which stand as emblems at the entrance to the southeastern Aegean island’s Mandraki Harbor – are being decimated by the raging wildfire tearing through forests, hillside villages and seaside resorts.Rhodes’ massive wildfire began on Wednesday in western Apollonas, one of the main habitats of the Rhodian fallow deer, a protected native species whose population is around 5,000.Animal protection groups have urged residents in areas where there have been sightings of deer fleeing the blaze to put out water, fresh fruit and vegetables, while warning that the animals should not be approached.
Deer spotted roaming the corridors of Derriford HospitalTwo deer have roamed the corridors of Derriford Hospital in surreal scenes during the early hours of this morning (July 24).The two majestic animals were pictured casually trotting down a hallway, inside what is reported to be the maternity ward.
Judge says Hastings woman has ‘zero’ chance of keeping pets after puppy suffered months of abuseA woman has been told by a judge she has "zero" chance of keeping pets after inflicting months of abuse on a puppy.Shadelle Moynes-Burns from Hastings in East Sussex has been banned from keeping pets for at least 20 years after her crossbreed Teddy suffered 11 broken ribs.Moynes-Burns of Gladstone Terrace pleaded guilty to three animal welfare act offences.Alongside the 20-year minimum term ban, at Lewes Crown Court on Monday 10 July she was sentenced to nine months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, concurrent on each offence - and 25 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement Days, following an RSPCA prosecution.
Two men and a woman sentenced for causing suffering to two Dachshunds with 'severe skin disease'Two men and a woman have been sentenced after they admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to two dogs. They each pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act, in that they caused unnecessary suffering to a female wirehaired Dachshund known as Coco and also to a female wirehaired Dachshund puppy by failing to provide veterinary treatment in respect of the animal’s skin disease.At sentencing on Wednesday (12 July) all three defendants were each disqualified from keeping dogs for 18 months, ordered to pay £333 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.They also received a 12 month community order - Samantha Daniels received a 10 week tagged curfew (7.30pm-7am), Jayson Daniels received 108 hours unpaid work and Kerswell was ordered to undertake 108 hours unpaid work plus 20 RAR days.
Elderly at greater risk of drowning, experts warnDrownings at sea remain quite common despite authorities’ repeated warnings and guidelines. By July 20, 125 people had drowned at sea in Greece this year, official statistics show.Of the 125, just two were minors, 18 aged 18-59 and 105 aged 60 and over. Old people have always been most likely to drown. In 2022, 386 people drowned, seven of them in swimming pools.Greek residents accounted for 69% of the deaths, while 77% of the victims were 60 and over. More than 60% of the drownings were on beaches with either no lifeguards or outside lifeguards’ working hours.The deadliest time was 8 to 10 a.m. when 13% of the drownings occurred; it is also the time span when many older people go to swim to avoid the crowds and the blazing midday sun.The incidence seems to be remarkably stable: over a five-year period (2018-22), an average of 359 people drowned; this includes only recreational accidents.Experts propose that the elderly, as well as children, do not swim unaccompanied; for older people, drowning may also be due to the effects of medication.The United Nations has designated July 25 as World Drowning Prevention Day.
Paris to bring back swimming in Seine after 100 years
Wrexham man jailed after discovery of dead puppies and malnourished animals at his caravan
Firefighting aircraft crashes while battling Evia wildfireA search and rescue operation is underway for two airmen on the island of Evia after their Canadair firefighting aircraft crashed while battling the wildfire that is raging in the southern part of the island.In a statement, the Air Force said: “At 15:05, a CL-215 aircraft, with a crew of two airmen, of the 355th Tactical Transport Squadron of the 112th Combat Wing, crashed during aerial firefighting in Platanistos, Evia.“A search-and-rescue operation is underway for the two airmen. One Air Force Super Puma helicopter and one AB-205 helicopter, as well as one Navy S-70 helicopter, have rushed to the area.”
Masks, Covid tests scrapped at healthcare facilitiesThe mandatory use of protective masks at hospitals and other healthcare facilities was lifted on Monday, marking the end of measures aimed at stopping the spread of Covid, which has dropped sharply in recent months.
Two firefighting pilots confirmed deadThe Air Force has confirmed that the two pilots missing since their firefighting aircraft crashed in southern Evia are dead.In a statement, the General Air Staff Air Force named the two officers as Captain Christos Moulas (34) and his co-pilot, Second Lieutenant Periklis Stefanidis (27).
Fire Service battles 53 new wildfiresMost of the 53 new wildfires that broke out in the country in the last 24 hours were “dealt with immediately, in their initial stages,” the Fire Service has said in its daily bulletin.
Greece fires: Satellite images and maps show extent of damage
Body of missing farmer found in EviaA livestock farmer in Evia who went missing on Sunday after he went to check on his animals has been found dead.As reported by private broadcaster MEGA, the charred body of the 41-year-old farmer, who was from Platanistos, was found inside a hut, where, it appears, he had been trapped by a wildfire.
Fire in Rhodes: Police and volunteers rescued dogs locked in cages - Watch the video