Two Polish tourists, aged 45 and 55, tragically lost their lives on the Greek island of Crete, as reported by Greek City Times. The local authorities are urging tourists to exercise caution and check weather forecasts and sea warnings before entering the water, especially advising against swimming alone and staying close to shore if inexperienced.
The incident occurred in the towns of Hersonissos and Chania. In Hersonissos, the 45-year-old Polish man reportedly ignored warnings of high waves and entered the water, only to be found unconscious later and pronounced dead at the hospital. Meanwhile, in Chania, the 55-year-old Polish tourist drowned after entering rough waters, highlighting the perilous sea conditions that day.
On the same Saturday, Greece witnessed five deaths, likely due to drowning, including a 90-year-old French man in a swimming pool in Hersonissos and two Greek citizens in separate incidents across the country. An 87-year-old man was pulled unconscious from the sea in Volos, and an 86-year-old man was found dead in the waters of Thesprotia.
In light of these tragic events, Greek authorities are reinforcing safety messages, particularly to tourists unfamiliar with local conditions. They emphasize the importance of checking weather and sea condition warnings, avoiding swimming alone, and staying near the shore if not a skilled swimmer.
Greece, a major tourist destination, saw approximately 33 million visitors in 2023, an increase of about 5 million from the previous year. The increase in tourist numbers underscores the need for heightened awareness and safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.