Safety Concerns Mount as Rockfalls Destroy Key Coastal Route in South Crete
Travelers and residents in South Crete are advised that the popular coastal road connecting Myrtos and Tertsa has been closed to all traffic indefinitely. The decision comes following a series of dangerous landslides, culminating in a major rockfall on February 10, 2026, which caused significant damage to the roadway.
A Joint Decision for Public Safety
The closure was announced via a joint decision by the Mayor of Viannos, Mr. Pavlos Baritakis, and the Mayor of Ierapetra, Mr. Emmanouil Fragkoulis. The authorities cited the continuous falling of large boulders onto the coastal road as a primary threat to the safety of passing motorists and pedestrians.
The situation reached a breaking point on February 10, when a “violent” landslide struck the area, effectively destroying a section of the asphalt and making the route impassable.
“No Safety for Drivers”
Mayor Pavlos Baritakis emphasized the severity of the situation, stating that the road network is being closed “definitively” for the time being.
“There is absolutely no safety for drivers passing through this road,” Baritakis noted. “As a result, motorists must now use the provincial road network of Viannos-Ierapetra for their commutes.”
Important Liability Warning
The municipalities have made it clear that they will not bear responsibility for any accidents, vehicle damage, or injuries should individuals choose to ignore the closure. Anyone attempting to use the road does so exclusively at their own risk.
Physical barriers and signs are expected to be maintained to prevent entry, as the risk of further rockfalls remains extremely high.
Alternative Routes for Commuters
For those traveling between the regions of Ierapetra and Viannos, the following detour is advised:
* Use the main Viannos-Ierapetra provincial road.
* Avoid all coastal paths between Myrtos and Tertsa until further notice.
* Allow for extra travel time, especially during inclement weather when inland roads may also be affected by runoff.
What This Means for Local Tourism
The Myrtos-Tertsa route is a favorite for tourists seeking the rugged beauty of the Cretan coastline. While the closure is a blow to local sightseeing, safety remains the top priority. Local businesses in both villages remain accessible via the inland mountain routes, and visitors are encouraged to continue supporting the area by using the safer, designated detours.
Stay tuned for further updates regarding road repairs and potential reopening dates.
Are you planning a trip to South Crete? Be sure to check local traffic reports and weather advisories before heading out. Safety first!
NORMAN 'KRETANER': After more than 20 years on the ‘Island’ and having gained a lot of experience here, CreteTip does not only present you the beautiful holiday (dream) world as most travel or tourist websites do, but the reality, which is often not as colorful as on the glossy photos of the travel portals. Hence, the effort of a long-time inhabitant of the island to provide objective and unbiased reports about sights, excursions and holiday destinations, news, tips and also problems directly from the largest Greek island !
var MailPoetForm = {"ajax_url":"https://www.cretetip.com/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php","is_rtl":"","ajax_common_error_message":"An error has happened while performing a request, please try again later.","captcha_input_label":"Type in the characters you see in the picture above:","captcha_reload_title":"Reload CAPTCHA","captcha_audio_title":"Play CAPTCHA","assets_url":"https://www.cretetip.com/wp-content/plugins/mailpoet/assets"};
var MailPoetForm = {"ajax_url":"https://www.cretetip.com/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php","is_rtl":"","ajax_common_error_message":"An error has happened while performing a request, please try again later.","captcha_input_label":"Type in the characters you see in the picture above:","captcha_reload_title":"Reload CAPTCHA","captcha_audio_title":"Play CAPTCHA","assets_url":"https://www.cretetip.com/wp-content/plugins/mailpoet/assets"};
//# sourceURL=mailpoet_public-js-extra
