Greek civil protection authorities have issued fines following a fire that erupted on Monday, July 28, 2025, within the wooded grounds of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), also known as the University Campus or “Panepistimioupoli.”
According to the Fire Service, the blaze started in a pine-covered area near several beehives. Two individuals were fined €2,812 each for smoking out beehives without adhering to fire safety protocols, in violation of fire prevention regulations. Firefighting tools used in the beekeeping process were found at the scene, and both individuals admitted in sworn statements that they had failed to take legally required precautions.
Multiple Safety Violations Identified
The violations included failure to clear dry vegetation within a five-meter radius around the hives, placing hives too close to trees (less than the required ten meters), and not labeling the hives with registry numbers or owner contact details. Authorities stressed that such precautions are mandatory even on days with the lowest fire risk—on the day of the fire, the risk level was rated at category 4, considered “very high.”
In a further development, a third administrative fine of €5,175 was imposed on the university rector as the institution’s legal representative. A post-incident inspection by arson investigators found large amounts of trash scattered in the densely forested area, violating fire safety regulations under Article 19 of Fire Service Directive 9/2024.
The fire triggered a major emergency response. A total of 110 firefighters, including five specialized forest fire units, 30 vehicles, regional water tankers, and volunteers were deployed. Aerial support included 11 firefighting aircraft and 8 helicopters, one of which coordinated air operations.
