A tragic incident unfolded on Friday at Sarakiniko Beach on the Greek island of Milos, where a Vietnamese couple lost their lives.
According to reports, the 64-year-old woman was initially swept away by powerful winds reaching an intensity of 9 on the Beaufort scale. Her 65-year-old husband attempted to rescue her but was also pulled into sea, and both tragically drowned. The couple had been visiting Milos as part of a 16-person cruise ship group.
The woman’s body was recovered by a private boat, while a private diver located and retrieved the man’s body. Both were transported to the island’s Health Center, where they were officially pronounced dead.
Greece hit by strong winds
Strong winds are disrupting services, leading to ferry cancellations and a heightened risk of fires in several regions of Greece.
Ferry departures from the ports of Piraeus, Lavrio, and Rafina to the Aegean islands, particularly the Cyclades, have been canceled until at least 12:00 p.m. due to gale-force winds of up to 9 on the Beaufort scale.
The Coast Guard urges travelers to check with their shipping companies for updated schedules and departure times. The public has been advised to avoid heading to ports unnecessarily so as to prevent traffic congestion.
Why is Sarakiniko Beach a tourist magnet?
Sarakiniko Beach is one of the most famous and unique landscapes in the Aegean, attracting a high volume of tourists and photographers. Its allure comes from a surreal, “lunar” landscape formed by centuries of wind and wave erosion on its distinctive white volcanic rock.
Unlike a typical sandy beach, Sarakiniko offers an otherworldly environment of smooth, bone-white rock formations, small caves, and natural coves. Visitors come to explore this geological marvel, sunbathe on the smooth rock surfaces, and swim in the stunningly clear turquoise waters which stand in striking contrast to the white cliffs.
The area’s extraordinary landscape makes it one of the most photographed locations in Greece. However, its exposed setting, highlighted by this morning’s tragedy, also leaves it particularly vulnerable to forceful winds and rough seas.
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