Warren Buffett, Johnny Depp buy Greek islands

Several investors see Greece as coveted prey, as more than 40 islands are available for sale

US tycoon Warren Buffett and Hollywood actor Johnny Depp are the latest additions to a long line of wealthy businessmen and stars who have purchased Greek islands, the London-based real estate firm Proto Organization Ltd said.

Buffet along with Italian millionaire Alessandro Proto, a shareholder of the New York Times newspaper, bought the island of St. Thomas, which covers an area of 1.2 sq km, in the Gulf of Egina near Piraeus port, the firm announced this weekend.

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The acquisition was concluded last week for 15 million euros ($16.25 million).

Johnny Depp too became the owner of a small islet in Greece's Aegean Sea named Strongylo for 4.2 million Euros.

"At this time, Greece is a prey very coveted by several investors. After the new loan made by the EU, it is clear that this is the best time to invest in Greece," Steven Taylor, a spokesperson of Proto Organization Ltd. told Xinhua on Sunday.

There are more than 40 private islands available for sale.

Among the celebrities who have also expressed interest in buying a Greek island this summer are Hollywood stars Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, who are reportedly preparing to buy the Greek island of Gaia located in the Echinades complex in the Ionian Sea.