Second “balcony fall” this week: Briton seriously injured in Hersonissos.
Briton seriously injured by falling balcony parts in Hersonissos
There was a pretty alarming scene in the port area of Hersonissos: a chunk of glass balcony broke loose and crashed down onto a 49-year-old pedestrian below. The weather was wild at the time—strong winds, which probably played a big role in the glass coming loose.
The man, a tourist from the UK, had been out walking with his partner. He was rushed by ambulance to a hospital in Heraklion for emergency surgery.
His injuries were serious—multiple fractures, damage that meant doctors had to remove his spleen, and trauma requiring neurosurgery. After the operations, he was moved straight into the ICU for close monitoring.
Authorities were called in and launched an investigation right away. Turns out, the glass came from a property owned by a foreign resident who isn’t currently living there.
It really raises some tough questions about building maintenance and safety, especially in places that get hit by bad weather.
Key Details
Detail |
|
|---|---|
Location |
Port of Hersonissos, Crete |
Victim |
49-year-old British tourist |
Nature of Incident |
Falling glass balcony section |
Weather Condition |
Strong winds |
Injuries |
Multiple fractures, spleen removal, neurosurgery |
Hospital |
Venizeleio Hospital, Heraklion |
Current Status |
In Intensive Care Unit |
Property Owner |
Foreign permanent resident |
Residency at Property |
No current occupants |
Safety Concerns and Context
Events like this just make you think about the risks of buildings with big glass balconies. When maintenance slips or the weather turns nasty, these features can become hazards for anyone nearby.
Especially in busy tourist zones, regular inspections are a must. With so many people walking around and unpredictable weather, you’d hope property managers and local authorities are keeping a close eye on things.
Summary of Medical Response
- Immediate surgical intervention: Removal of the spleen due to internal injuries.
- Neurosurgical operation: To address head trauma caused by the impact.
- Intensive care: Continuous monitoring in a critical care unit to manage recovery and address complications.
Medical staff moved fast to stabilise him. With injuries that severe, it took a whole team and several operations to give him a fighting chance.
Broader Implications
It’s wild how much the weather can turn a building into a real threat. There’s a clear need for stronger, safer construction, especially in places packed with tourists—let’s face it, their safety keeps the local economy ticking.
There’s also a legal side: property owners can’t just ignore buildings, even if they’re not living there. If your place is falling apart and putting people at risk, someone’s going to have to answer for it.
For anyone walking around older parts of town, especially under glass balconies when the wind’s up, it’s worth keeping your eyes open. Local officials and visitors alike need to stay alert to these kinds of risks.
There was already a similar incident in Heraklion on Monday (see next section) and several falling balcony parts had already been reported on Crete in the weeks before. The heavy rainfall may have played a role here, which can lead to softening of the material, especially on balconies in older buildings.
Nevertheless, this cannot be an excuse: The owner must of course take precautions and be liable!
Chaos at the market in Heraklion after a balcony collapsed
Last Monday afternoon got a bit dramatic at the market in Kaminia, Heraklion—a section of balcony suddenly collapsed and crashed down onto a market stall. There was a lot of shouting and alarm, but, honestly, it’s a relief no one got hurt.
It happened right at closing time, with vendors packing up. If it had been even an hour earlier, with customers milling around, things could’ve ended much worse.
Municipal police arrived quickly, along with Manolis Chairetis, the deputy mayor, and officers from the Hellenic Police. They checked out the scene, making sure public safety was handled and starting their investigation into what went wrong.
Key Facts:
Detail |
Information |
|---|---|
Location |
Market in Kaminia, Heraklion |
Incident |
Balcony section collapsed |
Time |
Monday afternoon, during closing hours |
Casualties |
None reported |
Response |
Municipal police, deputy mayor, national police present |
Traders and shoppers were rattled, but nobody panicked after the first shock. Nearby stalls were checked for damage, but thankfully, no further risks were found.
Officials stressed how crucial it is to inspect these old structures regularly. They’re planning more checks in the area and a review of building codes—probably overdue, if you ask me.
This kind of incident shows how unpredictable things can get in busy city spaces, especially when old buildings mix with crowds. The quick response kept things from spiraling and helped keep everyone safe.
The balcony reportedly showed no signs of collapse
Stella Kalogeraki-Archontaki, Deputy Mayor of Urban Planning, gave an interview after the balcony collapse on Monday, 5 May, in Kaminia. She said the balcony hadn’t shown any obvious signs of trouble before it just gave way.
No one was hurt, thankfully. That’s almost miraculous, considering how these things usually go.
She pointed out that the municipality can’t really go after compensation for damages to private property or shared public areas after incidents like this. If someone’s property got damaged, though, they’re free to take legal action themselves.
In those situations, property owners might end up facing both criminal and civil consequences. Not exactly something you want on your record.
The Deputy Mayor broke down where the municipality gets involved:
- They can only step in if a building or part of it is actually putting public spaces or passersby at risk.
- Private property? The municipality stays out unless there’s a clear, immediate danger.
- When there’s a complaint or someone reports a dangerous building, they send a formal notice to the owner.
- If the owner ignores it, the case can go to the public prosecutor. That’s when things get serious.
Kalogeraki-Archontaki also brought up how important it is to follow regulations from presidential decrees about settlement boundaries. The Heraklion municipal council just put out a resolution to address these boundaries, aiming to keep urban safety and development in check.
Key Points |
Details |
|---|---|
Incident Date |
Monday, 5 May |
Location |
Kaminia area |
Casualties |
None reported |
Municipality’s Role |
Can act only in cases of dangerous public risk |
Property Owners’ Responsibility |
Responsible for maintenance and legal consequences if neglect leads to damage |
Legal Process |
Municipality issues warnings; failure to comply may result in referral to the public prosecutor |
Urban Planning Concern |
Enforcement of settlement boundary laws via municipal resolutions |
