Traditional pyrotechnics and a ‘festive atmosphere’ characterise the Easter celebrations.
Every year, the use of fireworks and firecrackers during religious celebrations leads to serious injuries in several regions.
This tradition has caused plenty of accidents—some so severe they’ve ended in amputations or hospital stays. The risks only increase when unpredictable explosives are combined with the enthusiasm of young people.
In multiple incidents, people have suffered serious wounds, some needing urgent care at specialized hospitals.
A 37-year-old man in Agios Nikolaos was seriously injured during the resurrection service when the sparkler he was holding and intended to light exploded in his hands, resulting in the amputation of a finger on his right hand. The man was taken by ambulance to Agios Nikolaos hospital. After first aid was administered, it was deemed necessary to transfer him to the University Hospital of Heraklion, where he remains hospitalised.
It’s a harsh reminder of what can happen when fireworks are handled without caution, affecting not just the victims but also stretching healthcare resources.
Heraklion: Three Youngsters Caught Carrying Homemade Molotov Cocktails on Resurrection Night
Three teenagers—two brothers aged 16 and 17.5, plus their 18-year-old friend—were stopped late on Holy Saturday while driving near Archbishop Makarios Street in Heraklion.
Police found them carrying several dangerous items, including homemade Molotov cocktails, which they apparently intended to use outside a church during the Resurrection celebrations.
They weren’t alone; a fourth friend was in the car when DIA.S police officers pulled them over around 11:30 pm.
During the search, officers uncovered not just firecrackers and small explosives, but also eight homemade Molotov bottles.
Details of the Items Carried
Item | Description | Potential Risk |
|---|---|---|
Molotov cocktails | Water bottles filled with petrol, sealed with insulation tape. | Could cause serious fires and injuries. |
Large firecrackers (krotires) | Attached to the bottles to act as fuses. | Risk of explosion and burns. |
Fireworks and small explosives | Assorted pyrotechnics for loud noise and damage. | Harm to people and property. |
The Molotov cocktails were pretty basic: just water bottles full of petrol, large firecrackers taped on to act as fuses.
The teens admitted they were looking for a church where they could set these off—calling it a “tradition.”
Police Response and Legal Action
All three were arrested and took responsibility for the confiscated materials.
Since two were minors, their father was also detained for neglecting parental supervision.
The incident sparked concerns about safety during religious festivities, especially with illegal explosives and incendiaries in play.
Trying to use such dangerous materials in crowded public spaces could have led to disaster.
Summary of the Event’s Timeline
- Night of Holy Saturday, approx. 11:30 pm: Police intercept a car on Archbishop Makarios Street.
- Search of vehicle: Discovery of eight Molotov cocktails, firecrackers, and other explosives.
- Detainment: Three young men taken into custody. Father of minors also arrested.
- Youth’s statement: They were seeking a church to ignite the devices for the Easter Resurrection ritual.
Risks and Concerns
- Homemade Molotov bottles can cause large fires and serious physical harm.
- Mixing petrol and firecrackers is a recipe for explosive danger.
- The public was at risk, especially considering the timing and location during a major religious event.
- Parental supervision was clearly lacking for the two underage brothers.
Law enforcement faces a real challenge during public celebrations, trying to prevent illegal and dangerous acts disguised as “tradition.”
Turbulent Easter Night Scenes
Even with Easter’s religious and solemn tone, several areas in Crete saw chaos break out during Resurrection night.
Traditional bonfires—founaras—were relit with gusto, sometimes crossing over into outright disorder and safety issues.
In Ai Gianni Chosto, participants tried to burn an effigy of Judas with big pallets and whatever else they could find.
Someone tossed a gas canister into the fire, which sent sparks flying toward the crowd. No injuries, thankfully, but people were pretty shaken up.
Panagitsa Mastaba had its own drama. Even after authorities removed pallets early, some locals stashed flammable materials anyway.
The bonfire was lit in the street, and burning wood actually fell on bystanders. One guy’s jacket caught fire, but folks managed to put it out fast.
In Kaminia, near Saint Barbara’s church, there were reports of youths throwing Molotov cocktails into the bonfire.
The fire spread quickly—definitely not what you want in a crowded neighborhood.
Katsambas saw another improvised bonfire, right in front of Saint Demetrius Church.
This one damaged a traffic light at the Ikarou and Kazantzidi intersection.
Location | Incident Type | Consequences |
|---|---|---|
Ai Gianni Chosto | Gas canister thrown into bonfire | Sparks on crowd, no injuries |
Panagitsa Mastaba | Street bonfire with pallets | Burning clothes, local alarm |
Kaminia | Molotov cocktails into fire | Fast-growing flames |
Katsambas | Bonfire flames damaging traffic light | Property damage |
Armed Celebrations and Explosions
Zonianna village’s Easter night was especially intense, marked by gunfire and explosions.
Social media videos show automatic rifle shots echoing over the village square, creating an atmosphere that felt anything but festive or safe.
Molotov Cocktails and Firecrackers in Neos Kosmos
Lagoumitzi Street in Neos Kosmos kept up the risky tradition.
Right after the Easter proclamation, Molotov cocktails, fireworks, and firecrackers went off near the church of the Ascension. This practice has been criticized plenty by authorities, but it keeps happening—and it’s dangerous for everyone involved.
Key Risks Observed:
- Flying sparks and flames causing burns
- Spread of uncontrollable fires in public spaces
- Damage to public infrastructure such as traffic lights
- Danger from explosives, including homemade bombs and gunfire
- Panic and emergency responses from firefighting and police forces
The events really show how cultural customs and public safety can clash during Easter in Crete and Athens.
Zoniána in Rethymno Turned into a Battlefield During This Year’s Easter Celebration
During the Easter midnight service at the Church of Saint George in Zoniána, things escalated fast.
While the priest led the congregation in chanting “Christ is risen,” guns and Kalashnikov rifles fired off again and again outside in the square.
The scene quickly turned chaotic.
Pistols, revolvers, and military-style rifles were going off nonstop, and powerful dynamite sticks exploded, shattering any sense of peace.
This is an old local tradition, but this year, the sheer volume of gunfire and explosions was something else.
It was hard for anyone to focus on the actual service with all that going on.
Elsewhere in Crete, burning the Judas figure also led to trouble.
In Heraklion, Easter morning felt like a war zone, with fireworks and gunfire echoing through the city.
The video from Zoniána really captures just how intense things got, showing the clash between religious solemnity and total chaos.
It paints a pretty vivid picture of how these passionate annual celebrations can spiral into public safety issues.
Key Elements of the Event | Description |
|---|---|
Location | Square outside Saint George Church, Zoniána |
Event | Easter midnight service mixed with gunfire |
Weapons used | Pistols, revolvers, Kalashnikov rifles |
Explosives | Powerful dynamite sticks |
Atmosphere | Resembled a battlefield |
Impact | Disturbed the religious service and public safety |
The intensity of these celebrations makes you wonder—how do you balance respect for tradition with the need for safety?
Local authorities have struggled for years to keep firearms and explosives in check during Easter, but it’s clear this stuff is woven deep into the regional identity.
This year’s scenes in Zoniána really highlight the ongoing tug-of-war between tradition and public order—something that’s going to need attention from both community leaders and police, and probably sooner rather than later.
A Fiery Tradition Sparks Fear – Residents of Kaminia (Heraklion) Stay Indoors
In Heraklion’s Kaminia neighbourhood, the annual Easter bonfire tradition took a sharp turn again this year. Even after attempts to remove flammable debris, stacks of wooden pallets still filled the church square, waiting for the midnight spark.
This time, the fire got an extra jolt—petrol containers and homemade incendiaries hurled in by local youth. The flames roared higher, and the noise echoed through this tightly packed part of the city.
People living just steps from the church mostly stayed behind locked doors. One woman leaned out from her balcony, visibly uneasy, not sure if it was safe to even step outside.
Agia Varvara Church saw fewer worshippers at the midnight Easter service, a sign of how uneasy folks have become about this risky tradition. Over in Katsamba, the chaos spread—burnt traffic lights and other damage showed the fire’s reach wasn’t just local.
Key Points:
- Large wooden pallets were prepared in the church square despite safety efforts.
- Petrol and homemade firebombs were added, worsening the fire risk.
- Loud noises and flames caused fear nearby.
- Residents stayed indoors, reducing crowd size at the Easter service.
- Property damage was reported in nearby districts.
Unbelievable Priest Sings and Lights a Firecracker at the Easter Midnight Service
During the Easter midnight service in a church on Kefalonia, something wild happened. Right as the priest began the Resurrection blessing, he struck a match—and lit a firecracker.
This was before the congregation could even finish saying “Christ is Risen.” The moment threw everyone off, because honestly, firecrackers inside or near a church aren’t exactly standard practice.
The priest’s move took off online almost instantly. Social media lit up with reactions, ranging from laughs to disbelief.
People started calling him “firecracker priest,” and the nickname stuck. It was a jolt to the usual calm of the service, injecting an odd bit of excitement into the Easter celebration.
Summary of Reactions:
Group | Reaction |
|---|---|
Local congregation | Mixed surprise and laughter |
Social media users | Created memes and nicknames |
Church officials | No official comment reported |
Sometimes, even the most traditional ceremonies end up with a shock or two, especially at Easter. This one really stood out—mixing a religious ritual with a risky bit of fun.
Sure, fireworks pop up at Easter all over Greece, but lighting one right at the Resurrection blessing? That’s rare. It’s the kind of thing that gets people talking, for better or worse.
Maybe the priest wanted to liven things up, or maybe he just got caught up in the moment. Either way, folks at the service—and pretty much everyone who watched the video—won’t forget it anytime soon.
Compensation Provided for Damage Caused by Firecrackers
A group of young people from the village of Episkopi in the Hersonissos Municipality stepped up after damage occurred during the Easter celebrations in the village square.
Firecrackers had been thrown, which ended up smashing windows at local businesses.
The properties hit included a couple of cafés and a dance school.
All the damage was covered through a compensation effort led by the local youth.
The young people wanted to make things right after the celebrations took a turn for the worse.
Their initiative meant business owners weren’t left footing the bill.
This move was really about repairing relationships in the community and sending a message about accountability.
It’s not every day you see a group of young folks take that kind of responsibility after a night of risky fun.
Funding the repairs showed cooperation between the youth and those affected.
It’s a reminder that when public celebrations get out of hand, someone’s got to step up and own it.
Efforts like this help keep the community spirit alive and, hopefully, make people think twice before getting reckless next time.
