Six people were injured on the Greek island of Chios after an explosion during the construction of homemade rockets just days before Easter, authorities have said.
The blast occurred in an area where participants were preparing for a traditional Easter custom known for its use of improvised firework rockets. According to officials, a handling error inside a storage facility most likely caused the explosion. The six injured people, five men and one woman between the ages of twenty and forty, suffered burns, including second-degree injuries.
Four victims hospitalized with serious burns after rocket blast on Greek island of Chios and six arrested
Hospital officials reported that four of the six injured were admitted for treatment as a result of their burns. In some cases, the burns covered up to fifty percent of their bodies. Despite the force of the blast, authorities noted it was pure luck that everyone involved even survived.
Police detained all six individuals for violating fireworks regulations and launched a broader probe into illegal rocket-making activities. Authorities continue to search homes and storage spaces to identify additional people involved in building the devices.
Background on the Chios Easter rocket tradition
The custom traditionally involves two opposing parishes in the village spending the evening before Orthodox Easter Sunday firing thousands of homemade rockets at each other’s church, while worshipers attend services inside. The rival parishes are Saint Mark and Panagia Erythiani, (or “Red Madonna”). The two churches stand on hilltops about a quarter of a mile apart.
Traditionally, participants aim at the bell tower of the church on the opposite side. The rockets are made from wooden sticks loaded with an explosive mixture containing gunpowder and launched from grooved platforms. For the event, organizers heavily board up church buildings and nearby properties and protect them with metal sheets and wire mesh.
The custom has long divided local opinion. Many residents oppose its explosive nature and frequently voice frustration over the damage left behind after each event. Meanwhile, the tradition has gained the village international recognition, drawing tourists and providing a vital boost to the local economy.
