In the prefecture of Chania, a French woman dies near Balos and an Austrian woman near Georgioupolis.
Tourist dies on her way to Balos Beach
Two female tourists had their holiday cut short when one of them, a 67-year-old woman from France, died while hiking on the path to Balos beach in Kissamos, Chania.
They were moved to a safer spot and handed over to emergency medical services. Sadly, the older woman couldn’t be saved.
It was around 2 PM when emergency services got the call. The 67-year-old had started feeling unwell somewhere along the trail.
Firefighters and ambulance crews rushed to help. Witnesses told emergency operators that the woman was showing classic heart attack symptoms.
Medical staff tried first aid right there, but she didn’t respond. Eight firefighters from the Kissamos and Chania forest units came with two fire trucks.
They carried her on a stretcher, with an emergency doctor, to the nearest parking area. From there, she was taken by ambulance to Chania hospital.
Doctors at the hospital pronounced her dead.
Just two days before, another tourist—a 67-year-old German man—had died from cardiac arrest in the Samaria Gorge.
Emergency Response Details
Element |
|
|---|---|
Location |
Trail to Balos Beach, Kissamos |
Time of Incident |
Around 2 PM |
Victims |
67-year-old French woman, female companion |
Initial Symptoms |
Feeling unwell, heart attack signs |
Rescue Units |
Kissamos Fire Brigade (4 firefighters, 2 vehicles), Chania Forest Unit, EKAV doctor and ambulance |
Outcome |
Death of 67-year-old woman at Chania Hospital |
Relevant Context
- The Balos beach area is a popular destination, but the paths can be steep and uneven—definitely not a casual stroll.
- Emergency teams responded quickly, but it just wasn’t enough this time.
- The recent loss of another tourist in a nearby spot really puts a spotlight on the risks visitors face in these rugged places.
Tourist drowns on Kavros beach
A 74-year-old Austrian tourist drowned at Kavros Beach, near Georgioupoli in the Chania region. It happened in the morning, on a Saturday.
The woman was pulled from the water, unconscious. A lifeguard on duty saw her and acted fast, bringing her out of the sea.
He tried first aid right away, but she didn’t come around. Emergency services arrived soon after and took her by ambulance to Rethymno General Hospital.
Medical staff there confirmed her death. The Central Port Authority of Chania has started an investigation to figure out exactly what happened.
Key Details
Detail |
Information |
|---|---|
Victim’s age |
74 years old |
Nationality |
Austrian |
Location of incident |
Kavros Beach, Georgioupoli, Chania |
Time of incident |
Morning, Saturday |
Rescue |
|
Medical response |
Ambulance transfer to hospital in Rethymno |
Outcome |
Death confirmed at hospital |
Current investigation |
By Central Port Authority of Chania |
Overview of Response Actions
- Lifeguard promptly found and pulled the tourist from the water.
- Immediate first aid was provided on site.
- Ambulance team arrived quickly for hospital transport.
- Hospital staff performed efforts to save her life but were unsuccessful.
This tragic event really brings to light the risks of swimming in places that might not have lifeguards around all the time. Strong sea currents can make things even more unpredictable.
It’s a tough reminder—being near the water demands a bit of extra caution and attention. Sometimes, even with all the right steps, things just take a turn you can’t anticipate.
