The report—a request for an investigation submitted by Ippolytos Prekkas to the Ombudsman—is being shared with the Kythira Municipal Council and the press. The report calls for a full investigation into the causes, the management and any omissions during the recent catastrophic fire in Kythira, which occurred between July 26 and 28, 2025. The petition calls for an audit of all involved parties and the assignment of responsibility, in order to ensure the prevention of similar incidents in the future.
REPORT – REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION
To:
Ombudsman
17 Chalkokondili Street, 104 32 Athens
Email: press@synigoros.gr
For the attention of: Kythira City Council Members
Subject:
Investigation into the causes, management, and responsibilities for the devastating fire on Kythira (July 26–28, 2025)
1. Introduction – Purpose of the Report
I, a citizen of Kythira, and in my capacity as a journalist actively and continuously engaged in the systematic coverage of issues concerning Kythira, I request your immediate intervention to investigate the causes, the response, and the failures during the recent catastrophic fire on Kythira (July 26–28, 2025). My report is based both on personal knowledge and on-site observation of the events, as well as on data and testimonies I gathered during my work. The goal is to conduct a thorough investigation of all parties involved, so that accountability can be established and to ensure that similar incidents do not recur.
This fire was the worst environmental disaster on the island in recent years, in the same area as the 2017 fire, endangering human lives and irreparably destroying a large portion of the flora, fauna, agricultural production, and private property.
2. Statement of Facts
2.1 Extent of the damage
– The fire broke out in an agricultural-forest zone in the Pitsinades area on the morning of Saturday, July 26, around 9:30 a.m., amid strong winds and a risk level of 5 (alert status according to the General Secretariat for Civil Protection). More than 28,000 stremmata were burned in Western Kythira (approximately 10% of the island’s total area, according to the Copernicus EMS (Emergency Management Service)).
– The damage includes: loss of forest areas, destruction of agricultural crops, loss of beekeeping operations, and damage to homes, infrastructure, and utility networks. The fire also affected settlements such as: Pitsinades, Perlegianika, Dourianika, Araioi, Mylopotamos, and Drymonas. On July 28, after reigniting, the fire struck the area between Kypriotianika and Dokana and headed toward Mitata. Timely and continuous aerial surveillance that day prevented the fire from spreading further eastward into areas that are difficult to access and impassable.
2.2 Critical First Hours – Withdrawal of Air Assets
According to reports, on the afternoon of July 25, the mayor of Kythira left the island. On the same day, at 12:30 p.m., the General Secretariat for Civil Protection announced that, effective Saturday, July 26, the region would be classified under the highest risk category, “5”—a state of alert. In accordance with established procedure, in the Mayor’s absence, the duties of chair of the Local Civil Protection Operational Coordination Body in the Municipality of Kythira are carried out by the Deputy Mayor, Mr. Georgios Kominos.
On Saturday, July 26, in the early hours of the fire, as conditions were rapidly deteriorating, aerial firefighting resources were withdrawn in the afternoon.
This is confirmed not only by accounts from citizens but also by reports from local authorities and a government official.
– Minister and Member of Parliament for Piraeus A, Domna Michailidou: In a post, which was subsequently removed, she mentioned a lack of air transport in Kythira and her communication with the Minister of Civil Protection regarding the issue.
– Deputy Mayor G. Kominos (July 27, 2025, on ERT): «The water bombers arrived, dropped water for an hour, and left. Then the fire got out of control.».
2.3 Lack of Coordination and Planning
Inability to coordinate ground forces: delays, improper allocation of personnel, deployment of forces in areas without active front lines. This situation was described by Evangelos Venardos, president of the Kythira & Antikythira Local Property Committee, at the meeting held at City Hall on July 31, 2025, following the fire, in the presence of Kostas Katsafados, Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection. More specifically, he criticized the ground-based firefighting forces for a complete lack of coordination and a complete lack of organization. «No one knew where they were going or what they were doing. They went and sat in areas where there was no fire, while Myrtidia was burning,» and he wondered who the coordinator was… Finally, he added that he has already instructed a law firm in Athens to take legal action against the fire department.
It should be noted that the president of the Local Property Authority is a member of the Local Civil Protection Operational Coordination Body in the Municipality of Kythira.
2.4 Previous Commitments and Projects
From the Minutes of the Meeting of the Local Civil Protection Operational Coordination Body (TESOPP) of April 30, 2025 This provides important data regarding the funding and fire safety planning of the Municipality of Kythira.
According to statements by Mayor Stratos Charhalakis:
- The Municipality received 181.000 € as special funding from the Central Independent Resources (CIR) for fire safety measures.
- The total expenditures allocated in the budget for fire protection amounted to 360.000 €, which indicates that there were plans to utilize it and own resources for that purpose.
- In addition, funding was approved 90.000 € from Green Fund about the project «Enhancing Fire Protection in Residential Areas with Peri-urban Forests».
This initiative involves the creation of perimeter – new firebreaks at locations that, as the mayor noted, have been selected so as to receive immediate approval by the Forest Service, without involving private properties, as they are located on land belonging to the Domestic Property.
The settlements and locations where interventions were planned, according to the technical report prepared by a forester and an agronomist, are:
- Saint Anastasia
- Aroniadika (2 points)
- Gerakari
- Diakopoulianika (2 points)
- Dr.υmonth (3 points)
- Country (capital of Kythira) (2 points)
- Mitata
- Strapodi
The mayor had stated that the project would be awarded by the end of May 2025, with a contract in effect and the option for community presidents and Fire Department representatives to review the detailed maps and the technical report.
However, as of today (August 2025):
- It doesn't have be made public Which projects funded by the above sources were implemented?.
- The following has not been made public: technical report or the maps showing the planned interventions.
- None available implementation details (locations, zone lengths/widths, contractors, dates, contract ADA numbers).
This information gap makes it impossible to evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions and the allocation of funds, especially in light of the catastrophic events that followed in July 2025.
It should be noted that as recently as August 4, 2025—just a few days after the devastating fire— a contract was awarded through direct award for the clearing of fire safety zones, a fact that raises questions about whether the necessary preventive measures had been implemented in a timely manner.
2.5 Meeting on July 31, 2025
On July 31, 2025 A meeting was held at the Kythira Town Hall with the participation of government and local government officials, to assess the situation following the major fire and to plan recovery measures.
However, this process raised serious concerns regarding transparency and representation:
- They were not invited for all city council members to participate, nor was there any provision for the presence of representatives from all the municipal political groups on the City Council.
- There was no official report on activities regarding the critical days of the fire (July 26–28, 2025), despite their particular importance for understanding and evaluating the operational response.
- There was no mention of the preventive measures that had been taken before the fire.
- It didn't happen no report nor were any explanations provided regarding the withdrawal of aerial firefighting resources during the early hours of the fire on July 26, an incident that had already sparked public outcry and raised questions. It should be noted that during the meeting, Deputy Mayor Georgios Kominos did not revisit the issue of aerial firefighting, as he had done during the fire in statements he made on the televisionERTNEWS and OPEN.
The municipal government’s decision to limit public participation and the lack of detailed information on critical aspects of crisis management are heightening concerns about the completeness of the information of elected officials. Furthermore, the municipal government did not invite all of the island’s local media outlets, but instead invited a select media outlet to cover and broadcast the meeting.
3. Issues That Need to Be Investigated
Mr. Counselor,
Following the devastating fire on Kythira (July 26–28, 2025), there remain serious gaps in information and unresolved issues related to both operational planning and crisis management. I request that the following, in particular, be investigated:
A. Operational Readiness and Response
- Whether there was an up-to-date fire response plan for the island. (Local Disaster Response Plan)
- If the fire department had been fully staffed and if the firefighting equipment (especially the vehicles) had been adequately maintained before the fire season.
B. Coordination and Decision to Withdraw Aerial Assets
- Who gave the order to withdraw the aerial firefighting assets on July 26, and on what grounds?.
- How was coordination handled between the Fire Department, Civil Protection, and the Municipality’s Coordination Center (SETOPP) during those critical hours?.
C. Fire Protection Projects and Funding
- At what stage of implementation were the projects that had been funded (€90,000 from the Green Fund, €181,000 from the CAP, and €180,000 from own resources)?.
- What is the breakdown of the funds, and which projects were completed before the fire?.
D. Political and Administrative Responsibility
- The operation of the Local Operational Coordination Body
- The condition of rural roads and firebreaks before the crisis began.
- The decision not to invite all elected officials and political factions to the meeting on July 31, 2025.
E. Readiness and Current Status of the Civil Protection Mechanism
- What is the current status of the Civil Protection mechanism for the entire island, now that we are already in the middle of the wildfire season?.
A thorough and independent investigation of these issues is essential to ensure accountability, identify any failures, and guarantee that this tragedy will not be repeated.
4. Petitions to the Ombudsman
Based on the above, I request:
- The investigation all of the issues mentioned in Section 3.
- Check for any omissions or errors and assigning responsibility where necessary.
- Publication of the Annual Report the facts, the causes, the actions taken, the use of funds, and the damages.
5. References – Documentation
Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection – Risk Forecast Map for Saturday, July 26
https://archive.vn/XGXSD
RICHZOLPS-86P — TESOPP 2025 Proceedings
https://diavgeia.gov.gr/doc/ΡΙΧΖΩΛΨ-86Ψ?inline=true
Ministry of the Interior Decision on the Allocation of the Fire Protection CAP (March 11, 2025) – ADA: ΨΠ9Υ46ΜΤΛ6-ΞΨΡ
https://www.ypes.gr/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/apof12856-20250311.pdf
Participation of the Municipality of Kythira in the Call for Proposals «Strengthening Fire Protection in Residential Areas in First-Level Local Government Units with Peri-urban Forests» by the Green Fund
https://diavgeia.gov.gr/doc/%CE%A1%CE%A7%CE%A4%CE%A3%CE%A9%CE%9B%CE%A8-27%CE%9C?inline=true
ΨΡΚ2ΟΡ18-ΕΚ6 — Decision / Document
https://diavgeia.gov.gr/doc/ΨΡΚ2ΟΡ18-ΕΚ6?inline=true
Statements by Georgios Kominos to ERTNEWS and OPEN TV
https://archive.vn/ivuW8
https://archive.vn/r1VQ0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9q3bT3Yqno
Post by Domna Michailidou (removed)
https://archive.vn/Sdx4z
Statement by City Council Member Nikolaos Magoulas
https://archive.vn/4vHZY
Meeting at City Hall on July 31, 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVvmzOc0TQM
According to a complaint filed by the «Free Kythira» municipal faction, mayors and council presidents are allocating thousands of euros to useless firebreaks without conducting a feasibility study. (https://archive.vn/P2bKw)
95FROLS-G6M — Decision / Civil Protection Document
https://diavgeia.gov.gr/doc/95ΦΡΩΛΨ-Γ6Μ?inline=true
This document will be communicated to the Kythira Municipal Council, as well as to the press, to ensure that its contents are fully communicated and made public.
