Cretan beaches swarming with illegal structures

An attempt is under way on Crete to get the bulldozers back to work as the two-year suspension of demolitions on the island has led to an increase in illegal structures erected on its beaches.

Indicatively, 154 demolition protocols are pending in Iraklio, 130 in Lasithi, 80 in Hania and six in Rethymno.

In response, the Decentralized Administration of Crete began demolitions on the seashore around a fortnight ago, while on Thursday a two-story illegal construction on Tobruk beach in Iraklio was demolished.

"It used to be a cafe and restaurant, it had ceased to operate years ago. It must have been there for at least 25 years," said the general secretary of the Decentralized Administration of Crete, Maria Kozyraki. A meeting on Friday will decide how to continue the demolitions. "We are already in the middle of the tourist season and this obliges us to reschedule...