A sad list of holidaymakers who died in accidents in Crete.
High numbers of drownings and advice
Drowning is still a serious problem in Crete and Greece, and it affects both locals and visitors. Many accidents happen just because swimmers skip basic safety advice.
People lose their lives in both the sea and swimming pools, so everyone really needs to stay alert, no matter their age. Some recent tragedies follow after these important instructions.
In June alone, many drowning deaths happened at Greek beaches. Most victims were over 60, making older adults especially vulnerable, but young kids are also at high risk.
Key Risk Factors
- Age: Older adults and young children face the highest danger.
- Swimming skill: People who can’t swim well or can only float are more likely to get into trouble.
- Health and behaviour: Swimming when tired, after a meal, or after drinking alcohol makes things riskier.
- Environment: Calm waters might look safe, but drownings happen there too—rougher spots are obviously dangerous.
- Ignoring safety: Too many people ignore warnings about currents or dive into unsafe places.
Role and Coverage of Lifeguards
Lifeguards play a huge role in keeping swimmers safe. This season, about 86% of Greek beaches have lifeguard coverage, which is a big step forward.
Still, drownings remain stubbornly high, so there’s clearly more work to do. Lifeguards jump in to rescue swimmers, enforce rules, and educate beachgoers about the risks.
- Rescue swimmers in trouble.
- Enforce safety rules on the beach.
- Teach people about water safety and risks.
- Report on rescue operations to help track safety.
Recommendations for Swimmers
If you want to stay safe, here’s what you should keep in mind:
- Don’t swim alone, especially if you’re not a strong swimmer.
- Skip swimming after eating, when you’re tired, or if you’ve had alcohol.
- Stick close to shore and stay inside marked safe zones.
- Watch out for strong sea currents; they can sneak up on you.
- Never dive into water when you can’t see the bottom or don’t know how deep it is.
Parents, don’t count on floaties or inflatable gear to keep your kids safe. Honestly, the best thing you can do is make sure your child learns to swim and float properly.
Swimming Pools and Lifeguard Presence
New rules now require lifeguards at swimming pools, especially in hotels and resorts. If a pool is deeper than 1.5 metres and the place has more than 50 rooms, a lifeguard must be there.
Pool lifeguards don’t have to stay in one spot—they might walk around the pool’s edge, keeping an eye on everything. Their presence definitely boosts safety and, frankly, makes guests feel better about the place.
Safety Tips in Table Format
Do’s |
Don’ts |
|---|---|
Swim with a companion |
Swim alone if you are a weak swimmer |
Stay near the shore within safety zones |
Swim far from shore without reason |
Learn to swim and float correctly |
Rely only on inflatable armbands for children |
Pay attention to weather and sea conditions |
Swim while tired or after drinking alcohol |
Follow lifeguard instructions |
Dive into unknown or murky waters |
Staying alert and actually listening to safety advice can really help cut down on drownings. Lifeguards do their part, but honestly, you can’t just leave it all up to them.
Kids and older folks need extra watching—it’s no secret they’re at higher risk around water. Sometimes it feels like people forget how quickly things can go wrong.
Swimmer safety depends on everyone doing their bit. Authorities make the rules, lifeguards keep an eye out, but in the end, swimmers have to follow the basics.
Young tourist drowns while swimming in Malia
Date: Saturday, July 5, 2025.
Tragedy in Malia: Young tourist drowns while swimming.
A heartbreaking incident has struck the beautiful beaches of Malia, Crete, where a 30 years old Ukrainian tourist lost his life while enjoying a swim. This tragic reminder urges all travelers to stay vigilant and prioritize safety around water, especially in unpredictable conditions.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends affected by this devastating loss.
Stay safe and always swim within designated areas. Remember, your safety comes first!
Tourist dies on Ammoudi beach in Agios Nikolaos
Date: Friday, 4 July 2025.
At 1:30 p.m., at a spot where there was no lifeguard on duty, bathers discovered an unconscious man 25 metres from the shore. They immediately pulled him ashore and performed CPR, but despite the efforts of those present, the 73 year old Dutch tourist sadly died.
75-year-old French woman drowns near Gouves
Date: Thursday, 3 July 2025.
The 75-year-old French woman was pulled unconscious from the water near Gouves on Thursday afternoon by a lifeguard, who was unable to revive her despite his efforts.
German tourist dies while swimming in Malia
To be honest, I find it difficult to write about this. A German tourist died while swimming near Malia.
A German tourist lost his life off the Greek coast, leaving the local community in shock.
He had been swimming near a popular beach when things took a sudden turn.
Eyewitnesses say he seemed fine at first, just enjoying the water like everyone else.
Then, without warning, he struggled and disappeared beneath the surface.
Rescue teams rushed to help, but they couldn’t reach him in time.
People nearby tried to spot him, calling out and searching the waves.
Eventually, the authorities recovered his body.
No one knows exactly what caused the accident, though some suspect strong currents.
The incident has raised concerns about safety measures at local beaches.
It’s a sobering reminder of how quickly things can go wrong, even on a sunny day by the sea.
A 69-year-old German man was found unconscious in the sea at a beach in Malia, Crete.
Lifeguards pulled him from the water and jumped into action with first aid. Still, he didn’t respond.
Emergency services showed up fast. They got him into an ambulance and rushed him to the University General Hospital of Heraklion.
Doctors at the hospital confirmed he had passed away.
The local port authority started looking into what happened. They’ve called for an autopsy to figure out the exact cause of death.
This exam will happen at the Forensic Medicine Service at the hospital.
Key details:
Detail |
|
|---|---|
Age |
69 years old |
Nationality |
German |
Location |
Malia beach, Crete |
Initial rescue |
Lifeguard provided first aid |
Hospital |
University General Hospital, Heraklion |
Cause of death |
Pending autopsy findings |
Investigating authority |
Heraklion Port Authority |
Authorities are still gathering information from witnesses and taking a close look at the scene. The full picture isn’t clear yet, and honestly, it might take a while before we know what really happened.
