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6 months ago
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A WORLD-famous beach where Brits love to visit every year will remain closed for the second summer in a row.
Tourists have been barred again from visiting the Shipwreck beach – or Navagio Bay – on the party paradise island of Zante over fears of landslides.
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The beach became a popular holiday hotspot because of the famous shipwreck of MV Panagiotis that decked at the bay in the 1980s
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Greek authorities last year banned travellers from visiting the beach – and called for repair works after serious safety and security concerns were raised amid continuous seismic activities and landslide worries.
The ban has now been extended to this year as officials continue to explore options to make the holiday hub more secure, it is understood.
Tourists will not be able to visit the beach via land or sea – and no boats or ships are allowed to moor alongside the bay area.
Access to the top of the cliffs – known to be a famous spot for scenic views – has also been prohibited.
G Stasinopoulos, mayor of Zente, said: “Hundreds of people already visit the Shipwreck every day to see the view, but unfortunately, there is no security.
“This is what we have been shouting since the first day we took over the management of the area.
“Unfortunately, we are currently seeing tourists pass the warning signs and find themselves on the edge of the cliff.
“They hang on the edge of the cliff, which is a very serious security issue.
“We shout that people will be killed. We cannot play with the safety of the guests.
“This must end if we want the Shipwreck to be the second most visited site in Greece.”
Ionian island Zante, also known as Zakynthos, is especially popular among young Brit partygoers.
For decades, more Brits have visited the Ionian Isles than any other nationality.
It became a popular holiday hotspot because of the famous shipwreck of MV Panagiotis that decked at the bay in the 1980s.
The tiny pocket of sand is known for its tall cliffs and fabulous turquoise waters.
However, over the years due to seismic activities, there have been instances that showed the potential risk to the lives of the tourists, including crumbling tops of the cliffs.
Successive landslides on the island have also raised concerns over the safety of the beach.
In 2018, seven holidaymakers were injured after large chunks of the limestone cliff broke off and fell over them.
Hundreds of tourists, including many Brits, had been lying on the beach, soaking up the rays, when the landslide occurred.
A massive rescue operation followed and the injured people were rushed to the island’s general hospital.
The plan to close the beach for security and repair works was originally taken by the Greek tourism ministry last year.
It was based on expert advice provided by Professor Ethymios Lekkas, head of the country’s National Earthquake Planning and Protection Organisation.
After inspecting the area, he advised that the beach be declared off-limits, saying past attempts at defining visitor zones had failed because of a lack of adequate patrols.
“We have had successive landslides which are part of the natural process that feeds this site, the most beautiful beach in Greece,” he said.
“We cannot rule out newer and larger landslides. An accident would be disastrous.”
Acknowledging the uproar, Greece’s tourism minister Vassilis Kikilias said he was “the last person” who wanted to see the legendary beach closed.
“But we have to listen to the experts. It would be negligent to do otherwise,” he added.
“We cannot endanger the lives of residents and travellers who visit the Navagio beach.”
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Getty
AFP
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