Residents of Vrontados on the Greek island of Chios marked Orthodox Easter with the traditional “rocket war,” firing over what organisers said were 20,000 handmade rockets during midnight mass.

Parishioners from rival churches, Panagia Erithiani Church and Saint Markos Church, launched rockets from opposite hills towards each other’s bell towers as the night sky lit up.

Prepared months in advance, the rockets streaked across the darkness in a contest of accuracy, while spectators gathered to watch the spectacle.

The centuries-old tradition, believed to date back to the 19th century when locals fired cannons during Easter under Ottoman rule, continues to draw thousands of visitors despite safety concerns and the fact that it is illegal.

Overshadowed by the arrest of seven people injured in a fire at an illegal fireworks workshop preparing for the rocket war — four of whom suffered second-degree burns — this year’s event was more modest, with fewer rockets fired and a shorter duration.

The incident also reignited debate over whether the custom should be legalised and more tightly regulated.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VRONTADOS, CHIOS ISLAND, GREECE (APRIL 11-12, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all) (NIGHT SHOTS)

1. (MUTE) VARIOUS DRONE VIEWS OF ROCKETS FIRED AT PANAGIA ERITHIANI CHURCH AT THE VILLAGE OF VRONTADOS IN CHIOS

2. VARIOUS OF ROCKETS CROSSING THE NIGHT SKY AIMING AT RIVAL CHURCHES

3. ROCKETS ON LAUNCH PAD BEING LIT AND LAUNCHED

4. ROCKET WAR PARTICIPANTS FIRING ROCKETS PLACED ON LAUNCH PAD

VRONTADOS, CHIOS ISLAND, GREECE (APRIL 11, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Greek) ROCKET WAR PARTICIPANT, SPYROS KOUMENTIS, SAYING:

“I have been taking part in the rocket war for 13 years now. It’s the greatest joy that our soul needs. You cannot understand how we feel about this custom. It’s pure love for the traditional customs of our island. We want this tradition to continue and to grow.”

VRONTADOS, CHIOS ISLAND, GREECE (APRIL 11-12, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all) (NIGHT SHOTS)

6. STOCK OF UNUSED ROCKETS STORED IN BIG SACS

7. PARTICIPANTS CAREFULLY PLACING ROCKETS ON A LAUNCH PAD

8. ROCKET WAR PARTICIPANTS SETTING ROCKETS ON FIRE

VRONTADOS, CHIOS ISLAND, GREECE (APRIL 11, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

9. (SOUNDBITE) (Greek) VRONTADOS RESIDENT, MARKOS PROGOULIS, 65, SAYING:

“This night (of the year) fascinates us, it’s intense. It belongs exclusively to those participating in the rocket war, which we all did when we were younger.”

VRONTADOS, CHIOS ISLAND, GREECE (APRIL 11-12, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all) (NIGHT SHOTS)

10. ROCKETS LIGHTING UP NIGHT SKY

11. PEOPLE WATCHING THE SPECTACLE AND TAKING PICTURES WITH THEIR PHONES

VRONTADOS, CHIOS ISLAND, GREECE (APRIL 11, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

12. (SOUNDBITE) (Greek) SECOND-TIME VISITOR, EKTORAS ELENIS, 15, SAYING:

“I like it very much, I get very excited when I see the rockets in the sky, as this is a very special custom that shines a light into the night.

VRONTADOS, CHIOS ISLAND, GREECE (APRIL 11-12, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all) (NIGHT SHOTS)

13. (MUTE) VARIOUS DRONE VIEWS OF ROCKETS FIRED AT PANAGIA ERITHIANI CHURCH

14. VARIOUS OF ROCKETS CROSSING THE NIGHT SKY, AIMING AT SAINT MARK CHURCH