Surf lifesaving

The Hellenic Coast Guard rescued nine tourists on Friday from a pleasure boat that ran aground on rocks near Elias Bay in Halkidiki. The Coast Guard was informed immediately and, with the contribution of a lifeguard, rescued those aboard from the stranded boat.   

One of the passengers, who had been injured, was taken to hospital. The authorities are investigating the incident.

In Greece, the authorities warn not to enter the sea because of the sudden change in weather.

The forecast is for rough seas and rain, especially in Halkidiki and Euboea.

Heavy rain, wind and hail are expected today in a large part of the country, according to forecasters.

A French citizen was beaten by a lifeguard in the free zone between Beach 1 and Beach 2 in Pomorie, BNR reports.

The reason for the aggression was an umbrella on the beach - property of the rescuer. The rescuer insisted that the man and his family move far away from the shadow.

Drownings at sea remain quite common despite authorities' repeated warnings and guidelines. By July 20, 125 people had drowned at sea in Greece this year, official statistics show.

Of the 125, just two were minors, 18 aged 18-59 and 105 aged 60 and over. Old people have always been most likely to drown. In 2022, 386 people drowned, seven of them in swimming pools.

A total of 304 people lost their lives by drowning after getting caught in a rip current in the Black Sea between 2012 and 2022, an expert has stated.

Academic Mustafa Serkan Abdüsselam from Giresun University stated that the number of drowning incidents caused by rip currents, commonly known as "pulling currents," has been increasing year by year.

The three beaches in Sunny Beach - north, central and south, are in good condition and ready to welcome the first tourists.

The waves will be up to 3 meters in height. A wind and a sea state warning has been issued. The waves will subside in the evening and there may be rip currents and bottom pits on Saturday-Sunday.

Weather forecasters are also warning of a serious danger of fires in the coming days.

Tragedy struck the islands of Crete and Rhodes on Wednesday afternoon after an 8-year-old girl from Israel and two French sisters aged 16 and 19 drowned in separate incidents.

The Israeli girl drowned in the swimming pool of the hotel she was staying at with her family at the resort of Hersonissos on Crete.

Authorities on the southeastern Aegean island of Rhodes are investigating the death of two sisters in a hotel swimming pool the previous evening.

The two girls have been identified as French tourists who were holidaying on the island with their families. They were aged 16 and 19 years old.

The National Public Health Organization (EODY) on Wednesday issued a series of guidelines aimed at reducing the number of drownings at Greece's beaches, advising people with children to be vigilant at all times and to opt for locations that have a lifeguard service.