A woman vacationing in Crete meets her unfortunate end after being struck by a stone.
A woman, reportedly from Germany, sadly lost her life after being hit by a tumbling rock while exploring the Samaria Gorge during a hiking excursion on the Greek island of Crete. Despite prompt emergency care, she passed away before reaching the hospital.
The rockslide was said to have been caused by an unexpected downpour with heavy rainfall. Initially, the woman's nationality was unconfirmed, but some sources suggested she was of Ukrainian descent residing in Germany.
Authorities reported that about 1,000 hikers were in the gorge during the incident. Local firefighters assisted in evacuating several visitors from the site. The Samaria Gorge, spanning over 16 kilometers, was subsequently closed until further evaluation to ascertain the potential risk for additional rockslides.
Dangerous excursions: Five fatal incidents during summer's start
As early as the summer's beginning, at least five tourists had met their untimely ends while hiking on Crete. Despite repeated alerts from government agencies, hoteliers, and locals, many tourists continued to embark on these treacherous excursions. Their reckless behavior involved hiking in the scorching midday sun, venturing out alone, or setting off despite aged advancing stages. One of these incidents involved a tourist who apparently consumed several beers prior to their hike.
The recent demise of a renowned BBC journalist made headlines: The British presenter died after going missing on the island of Symi in early June. Authorities suggested that he had taken the incorrect trail while hiking and eventually collapsed in an area difficult for rescue teams to locate.
Additionally, two more fatalities took place on Crete: A 80-year-old tourist was discovered dead after a day of solo hiking, and a 70-year-old tourist succumbed to sudden death on the beach.
The unfortunate incident brought a somber mood to the hiking community, with authorities urging caution due to the increased risk of rockslides after heavy rainfall. Regrettably, this tragic event marked yet another fatal incident during the summer season on Crete, highlighting the need for caution and adherence to safety guidelines.
