“Setting forests in fire is barbaric crime and as such should be mercilessly punished by justice,” the government head said, praising police for arresting a suspect for causing a fire close to the tourist village of Qeparo, southern Albania.

“State Police acted swiftly to arrest the arsonist who set the forest overlooking Qeparo on fire that spread quickly, causing concern among the numerous holidaymakers and foreign tourists, as air forces were forced to stop the operation to extinguish fire due to darkness,” PM Rama said.

State Police said earlier today they had arrested four people in the past 24 hours for causing fires as soldiers and firefighters were deployed in coastal tourist areas to fight spreading forest blazes.

Two farmers were arrested for causing a fire close to the tourist village of Qeparo leaving dozens of hectares burning and endangering houses and olive tree plantations.

Police released drone footage of running after one of the men on a hill and eventually arresting him.

/u.sh/