Greece’s top administrative court blocked the sale process of a luxury Athens seaside resort to an Arab-Turkish fund. According to the State Council judges’ decision, the sale of the prime Astir Palace hotel complex and the development of the seaside site breached planning rules and would harm the natural, cultural and urban environment.

The State Council ruled out the Presidential Decree-based plan for the redevelopment of the Astir Palace area and the entire Mikro Kavouri Peninsula, as the creation of small villas and the constructions planned in the uninhabited part of the Peninsula were not legal.

The investment was to be undertaken by the Jermyn Street Real Estate Fund. The Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF) on Thursday, February 12, 2014, named the company as the preferred bidder for the Astir Palace hotel, just a few days after the hotel’s other co-owner, National Bank of Greece (NBG), also chose the same bidder.

The region of Serres in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, northern Greece, has been declared in a state of emergency by local authorities due to floods caused after several days of continuous heavy rainfall that destroyed crops and seriously damaged the road network.

So far, the technical teams, completing an assessment of the situation, indicate that some 5,000 hectares of farms have been flooded in dozens of villages across the region, while according to the same sources, damage has also been caused by extreme rainfall in irrigation and draining systems, rural roads and bridges.

Moreover, the regional authorities have warned citizens that Kerkini Lake has swelled to dangerous levels and is monitored on an hourly basis. On his behalf, Deputy Regional Governor of Serres Giannis Moisidis underlined that authorities are not ruling out opening Kerkini’s dam to release some of the pressure. In addition, as Moisidis said, the region’s entire western part has been flooded from the waters of Strimonas river, while the floods have reached the boundaries of Amphipolis, where one of the country’s most significant archaeological sites has recently been discovered.

Greek Civil Protection authorities are also on alarm in the easternmost region of Evros, due to the increasing river water levels.

Athens International Airport is going to participate in this year’s Earth Hour on Saturday, March 28, turning off its lights and shutting down one of is two corridors from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Moreover, during Earth Hour 2015, the establishment will reduce lighting in its buildings, car parks, vehicles and personnel in other selected areas within the airport.

To raise public awareness on climate change, communications in terminals will inform the public about WWF’s global mobilization and AIA’s participation. In addition, AIA encourages all airport personnel to participate in Earth Hour by reducing or turning off the lights in the house.

Other major Greek and international enterprises operating in the country such as Leroy Merlin, Factory Outlet, Kotsovolos, Sofitel and IKEA will also support the movement.

Earth Hour is a worldwide movement for the planet organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The event is held worldwide annually encouraging individuals, communities, households and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights for one hour, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. on the last Saturday in March, as a symbol for their commitment to the planet.

It was famously started as a lights-off event in Sydney, Australia in 2007. Since then it has grown to engage more than 7000 cities and towns worldwide.

Today, Earth Hour engages a massive mainstream community on a broad range of environmental issues. The one-hour event continues to remain the key driver of the now larger movement.

Greece participated in the worldwide Earth Hour movement with an hour of darkness at landmark sites across the country on Saturday evening in a move to raise public awareness on climate change.

From the Sacred Rock of the Acropolis hill in downtown Athens to Eleftherios Venizelos international airport, lights were symbolically switched off between 8.30 p.m. and 9.30 p.m. local time, showing Greece’s commitment to live sustainably and care for the planet.

The ancient Temple of Parthenon in the Acropolis hill went dark, while lighting in the western runway system of the Athens’ airport was turned off for a few minutes.

For the seventh year in a row, thousands of citizens, communities, hotels, businesses and organizations in Greece took part in the Earth Hour that began in Australia in 2007.

(source: Xinhua)

Sifis, the crocodile found in Crete, Greece, in July 2014, was found dead in Potami Dam near the city of Rethymno.

Unfortunately, Sifis was not able to withstand the harsh winter weather that hit Crete this year and he passed away. He was found afloat in the dam.

Since mid-February, the committee that was responsible for the crocodile had not been able to locate the animal in the lake. For more than a month, they had been trying to find the famous reptile in order to trap it alive. However, on Monday, March 30, Forestry and Natural History Museum executives along with Greek herpetologist Petros Lyberakis retrieved the crocodile’s body from the lake.

Sifis was later transferred to the Natural History Museum in order to administer tests and answer the questions that scientists have been asking since they first found the famous crocodile.

The two-meter-long crocodile was spotted at the area of Potami Dam in Crete on July 6, 2014. Despite major operations organized to capture it, the crocodile avoided the traps set up by Greek authorities.

The mound in Serres, northern Greece, which has suffered many blows this winter, could not bear the high water pressure and finally gave in, flooding the area’s farmlands and sending local farmers into despair.

The situation in Serres is quickly deteriorating, especially in the Municipality of Visaltia. Despite the mounds built by the Greek army and local authorities, the farms in the region are in immediate danger. Meanwhile, according to locals, the livestock has already been removed from the farms.

Local authorities are worried because a total of 2,000 hectares of farmlands have already flooded, while they expect that the water will rise even more.

Meanwhile, in Lake Kerkini, even though the lake water has reached dangerous levels, the situation appears to be under control. “The situation is extremely serious but stable. We don’t want to endanger people’s lives”, said Mayor Kleanthis Kotsakiachidis from Iraklia Municipality.

A group of specialists arrived in Porto Katsiki beach in Lefkada, Greece, in order to assess the situation and determine if the popular beach can be opened to the public.

The team led by Geology professor Efthymios Lekkas examined whether there was any risk of rocks falling on the beach as it has happened in the past.

“We visited Lefkada to ascertain the degree of risk in Porto Katsiki. Through the examination we found that there is actually some risk since some rocks keep falling on the beach,” said the professor.

“We agreed to do a thorough risk analysis of the area to see if the beach will be open to the public this summer season or what additional steps can be taken to significantly reduce the risk. We also agreed to make some long-term efforts in order to increase the security rate in the region, however this will be a significant project that will take years to complete,” he added.

Local and scientific bodies are working in order to take the appropriate steps for the summer season, according to the professor.

When asked if there was any possibility for the beach to open to the public over the summer, Lekkas replied that it is possible to a large extent. “I don’t know whether we can afford to open up the whole beach. Our efforts will focus on the safe areas, so tourists can visit the beach,” he said.

People who have not visited the beautiful Greek island of Lemnos may think that it is a place of exile, a place resembling the moonscape, but that is only because they had not had a chance to explore the majestic island.

Lemnos is a magical place. A small island in the northern Aegean, the place where the three continents of Europe, Asia and Africa meet. Another reason why Lemnos is so special is that according to several people the island is the home of the only European desert.

On the north side of Lemnos, in an area called Gomati, visitors have the chance to witness a unique and unexpected sight, a small desert. The 7 hectare area is located away from the sea full and it’s full of sand and dunes constantly changing shape, just like in the Sahara desert, depending on the direction of the wind.

The sand dunes, also known as “Pachies Ammoudies,” are by far the most attractive element of the island Limnos. The sand dunes, were created by natural erosion caused by the prevailing winds blowing across the sea.

The ever-changing terrain and landscape of the sand dunes accompanied by the deep-blue colors of the Aegean Sea make for an unforgettable sight.

Furthermore, the area’s flora mostly consists of beautiful white lilies also known as pancratium maritimum, while sand-friendly vegetation such as osier, thyme, oleander and wild olive trees encircle the sand dunes.

It is worth noting that the landscape’s uniqueness has led many film and commercial directors to shoot scenes in the small Greek desert.

About 4,000 mine workers and their families protested on Thursday outside the Ministry of Productive Reconstruction, Environment and Energy in Athens over the Greek government’s expressed intention to stop works of the Hellas Gold mining operation in Skouries, northern Greece.

The miners banged their hard hats to the ground and shouted slogans asking for an “honest compromise.” Their spokesperson said they don’t want a dialogue with any government member other than Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.

The protesters then moved toward downtown Athens with stops at the Canadian mining company offices, the European Commission offices, the Greek government headquarters and then reached the Greek Parliament building to hand their petition to the Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, activists and anarchists who oppose the mining operation, and have repeatedly protested violently against the miners, have organized a protest rally at 6:00 pm on Thursday in front of the occupied rectorate building of the National Kapodistrian University of Athens. Since the university building is close to the parliament, police are afraid that there might be a clash between miners and activists if the two rallies collide.

The protesters fear they will lose their jobs since the government is fighting the private mining company on environmental grounds and they have temporarily revoked the construction permit of a plant in Skouries.

This is the first major challenge on labor issues the leftist SYRIZA-led government is facing. So far, certain cabinet members have accused the mining company for encouraging the protests. On their part, the Canadian company claims that the Greek government had no legal grounds in revoking the construction permit of the Skouries plant.

After three years of increased activity the volcano on the Greek island of Santorini has returned to its dormant state, according to the newspaper Kathimerini.

Experts from the Institute of Geology and Mineral Exploration (IGME) spoke with the Greek newspaper after their annual inspection of the Santorini volcano, noting that the seismic activity and physicochemical parameters have returned to normal levels, while the changes to the volcano’s rim have stopped. Furthermore, they added that the repercussion of a possible eruption would not be as horrible as everyone believes.

“We know that even if there was an eruption in 2011, it would be a perfectly manageable situation, similar to that of 1925-1926,” said Giorgos Vougiouklakis, a scientist at IGME.

“Volcanoes always give you a warning. If the volcano is systematically monitored and the state is well-prepared, an eruption could even work as a magnet for tourists. This is the sort of situation we are talking about, so let’s not engage in scaremongering.”

Santorini is the most active volcanic centre in the South Aegean Volcanic Arc, though what remains today is chiefly a water-filled caldera. The volcanic arc is approximately 500 km long and 20 to 40 km wide. The region first became volcanically active around 3–4 million years ago.

The island is the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history: the Minoan eruption, which occurred some 3600 years ago at the height of the Minoan civilization. The eruption left a large caldera surrounded by volcanic ash deposits hundreds of meters deep and may have led indirectly to the collapse of the Minoan civilization on the island of Crete, through a gigantic tsunami. Another popular theory holds that the Minoan eruption is the source of the legend of Atlantis.

Several hikers were trapped in the Samaria gorge in Crete on Tuesday when the river that crosses the National Park overflowed, making it impossible and dangerous to cross the gorge.

The gorge guards were immediately notified and mobilized in order to help the trapped hikers, with the help of nearby village residents and Greek firemen. After a while, they were able to reach the hikers and lead them to safety in the Samaria settlement, where they will stay overnight.

According to the Head of the Chania Region Civil Protection, Tasos Kouroupakis, all the hikers are in good health and safe. As soon as the weather clears, they will be led out of the gorge.

The Forest Directorate of Chania announced that the extreme weather phenomena damaged the crossing infrastructure, as well as the reception area, therefore the gorge will remain closed on Wednesday, May 13, so the location can be checked and restored.

395 Greek beaches and nine marinas won the international quality Blue Flag award this year, putting Greece in third place worldwide among 50 countries, according to the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (EEPF).

The announcement was made during a EEPF press conference in Katerini. EEPF is the national operator of the International Blue Flags program in Greece, in cooperation with the Pieria Hoteliers Association.

According to EEPF, the Blue Flag is the most recognizable and popular international symbol of quality in the world. Since 1987 the award has been given to beaches and marinas that meet the strict award criteria. The beaches not only need to have excellent quality bathing waters. They also need to meet 32 criteria, which refer to cleanliness, organization, information, swimmer and visitor safety, protection of the natural wealth of the beach and coastal area, as well as environmental awareness.

The founder and international coordinator of the program is the Denmark-based Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), with 63 member-countries from all continents. In Greece, FEE is represented by EEPF, the oldest environmental organization in the country, founded in 1951, which organizes active environmental interventions, actions and nature conservation projects.

Here is a list of Greece’s Blue Flag beaches:

EVROS[2]
Municip. Alexandroupolis
Alexandroupolis Municipal Beach, Kyani Akti

RODOPI [3]
Municipality Komotinis
Arogi, Fanari/Ioulia, Mesi

XANTHI [4]
Municipality Topirou
Mangana, Municipality Avdiron, Avdira/Porto Molo, Myrodato, Mandra

KAVALA [14]
Municipality Thassou
Makryammos, Chryssi Ammoudia 2, Pefkari 2
Prinos/Dasylio 2
Municipality Nestou
Ammoglossa/Keramoti 1
Municipality Kavalas
Batis, Toska, Kalamitsa, Perigialli
Municipality Pangeou
Ammolofoi, Nea Iraklitsa, Nea Peramos, Sarakina, Ofrynio/Touzla

SERRES [1]
Municipality Amfipolis
Kyani Akti

THESSALONIKI [12]
Municipality Volvis
Serraiki Akti, Asprovalta, Paralia Vrasnon, Nea Vrasna, Porto Fino, Stavros Kentriki, Stavros Anatoliki, Stavros Dytiki
Municipality Thermaikou
Agia Triada/PIKPA, Nei Epivates, Perea, Potamos

CHALKIDIKI [39]
Municipality Aristotelis
Ierissos/Dimotiki 1, Ierissos/Dimotiki 2, Ierissos/Dimotiki 3, Kampoudi 1, Kampoudi 2, Kampoudi 3, Ouranoupoli 1, Ouranoupoli 2, Ouranoupoli 3, Agios Pavlos, Porto Agio, Nea Roda 2, Stratoni, Kampos
Municipality Sithonias
Sarti 1, Sykia, Toroni, Nikiti 2, Platanitsi, Porto Carras 1, Porto Carras 2, Elia 2, Makria Lagada, Lagomandra, Marmaras C, Livrochio 1, Marmaras B, Armenistis
Municipality Kassandras
Kryopigi 2, Kryopigi 4, Fourka, Polichrono 3, Chanioti 1, Chanioti 3, Sani 2, Sani 3
Municipality Polygyrou
Metamorfosi
Municip. Neas Propontidas
Eleonas, Nea Potidea

PIERIA [5]
Municipality Katerinis
Olympiaki Akti, Paralia, Kallithea, Kallithea/Mediterranean Vilage, Korinos

LARISA [5]
Municip. Tempon
Nea Mesaggala 1, Nea Mesaggala 2, Nea Mesaggala 3
Municipality Agias
Agiokampos/Chrissi Akti, Stomio

MAGNISIA [16]
Municip. Notiou Piliou
Koropi/Boufa, Kala Nera, Kala Nera/Ther. Axiomatikon, Ambovos, Kalifteri
Municipality Volou
Agria/Barba Thomas, Anavros, Alykes, Amarylida, Amfanon, Chryssi Panagia, Platanidia, Nea Agchialos 2
Municipality Skiathou
Koukounaries, Maratha
Municipality Skopelou
Andrina

FTHIOTIDA [7]
Municipality Stylidas
Glyfa
Municip. Molou – Agiou Konstantinou
Kamena Vourla/Galini
Municipality Lokron
Skala Atalantis, Livanates 1/Kiani Akti, Livanates 2/Schinias, Souvala Arkitsas, Livrichio Arkitsas

FOKIDA [8]
Municip. Doridos
Eratini, Chiliadou, Sergoula, Monastiraki
Municip. Delfon
Maiami, Trokandero / Agali, Agioi Pantes, Kalafatis

VIOTIA [2]
Municipality Distomou – Arachovas – Antikyras
Agios Isidoros
Municip. Tanagras
Plaka Dilessiou

EVIA [4]
Municipality Chalkideon
Alykes Drosias, Lefkandi, Asteria Chalkidas
Municipality Eretrias
Eretria 3

ATTIKI [13]
Municipality Marathona
Schinias/Karavi, Brexiza
Municip. Markopoulou Mesogeas
Avlaki
Municipality Saronikou
Mavro Lithari/Eden Beach, Lagonissi 1 / Grand Beach, Lagonissi 2 / Mediterraneo, Lagonissi 3 / Kochylia
Municipality Varis – Voulas – Vouliagmenis
Varkiza, Asteras Vouliagmenis, Vouliagmeni, Voula A
Municipality Aiginas
Agia Marina
Municipality Kythiron
Kakia Lagada

KORINTHIA [11]
Municip. Loutrakiou – Agion Theodoron
Loutraki 1, Loutraki 2, Loutraki/Boutsi, Pefkakia
Municipality Velou – Vochas
Kokkoni, Vrahati
Municipality Sikyonion
Pefkias
Municipality Xylokastrou – Evrostinis
Xylokastro/Pefkias, Melissi, Sykia, Derveni

ARGOLIDA [3]
Municipality Ermionidas
Porto Cheli/Chinitsa
Municipality Nafplieon
Karathona, Tolo

LAKONIA [12]
Municipality Monemvasias
Neapoli, Archangelos, Plytra/Pachiammos, Tigania, Monemvasia, Pori, Megali Ammos
Municip. Anatolikis Manis
Skoutari, Mavrovouni 1, Mavrovouni 2, Vathi, Gytheio 2/Selinitsa

MESSINIA [5]
Municipality Kalamatas
Mikri Mandinia, Anatol. Kalamata 1 /Anastasi
Municipality Messinis
Bouka
Municipality Trifilias
Ai Lagoudis, Kalo Nero

ILIA [8]
Municipality Pyrgou
Skafidia
Municipality Ilidas
Kourouta
Municip. Piniou
Arkoudi, Vartholomio, Glyfa
Municipality Andravidas – Kyllinis
Kastro/Chryssi Akti 2, Loutra Kyllinis 1, Loutra Kyllinis 2

ACHAIA [5]
Municip. Dytikis Achaias
Kalogria, Lakkopetra
Municip. Egialias
Alyki, Digeliotika, Pounda

ETOLOAKARNANIA [1]
Municipality Nafpaktou
Psani

PREVEZA [5]
Municipality Prevezas
Kyani, Monolithi, Tsoukes
Municipality Pargas
Loutsa, Valtos

THESPROTIA [2]
Municip. Igoumenitsas
Drepano, Mega Ammos

CORFU/KERKYRA [7]
Municipality Kerkyras
Kommeno, Kontokali, Alykes Potamou, Dasia, Almyros, Canal d’Amour, Dafnila

LEFKADA [7]
Municipality Lefkadas
Agios Giannis, Lefkada/Gyra, Agios Nikitas-Pefkoulia, Kathisma 1, Porto Katsiki, Nidri, Mikros Gialos / Poros

KEFALONIA [12]
Municipality Kefalonias
Petani, Platys Gialos, Makrys Gialos, Avythos, Lourdas, Ammes, Skala, Aragia Porou, Myrtos, Xi, Agia Varvara / Katelios, Antisamos

ZAKYNTHOS [7]
Municipality Zakynthou
Alykanas 1, Alykes 1, Amboula Psarou, Tsilivi, Bouka, Amboula Tragaki, Katragaki

CHANIA [29]
Municip. Kandanou Selinou
Voulismeni, Grammeno, Pachia Ammos, Chalikia, Sougia
Municipality Kissamou
Falasarna / Pachia Ammos 1, Falasarna / Pachia Ammos 2, Kasteli / Mavros Molos-Plaka
Municipality Platania
Platanias, Platanias /Limanaki, Kolymvari, Rapaniana
Municipality Chanion
Stalos, Ag. Apostoli 1, Ag. Apostoli 2, Chrissi Akti, Agia Marina, Kalamaki, Nea Chora, Marathi, Stavros, Agios Onoufrios, Kalathas
Municipality Apokoronou
Maistrali, Kalyves Xyda, Almyrida, Kyani, Kavros, Perastikos

RETHYMNO [16]
Municipality Rethymnis
Rethymno 1, Rethymno 2, Rethymno 3, Rethymno 4 / Myssiria, Platanias Β/Rethymno 6, Adelianos Kampos A, Pigianos Kampos, Skaleta
Municip. Mylopotamou
Panormo/Limni, Lianos Kavos Lavris, Bali Varkotopos, Bali Livadi
Municip. Agiou Vassiliou
Damnoni, Plakias, Rodakino, Agia Galini/Ystero Varkotopi

IRAKLIO [17]
Municipality Maleviziou
Ellinoperamata, Fodele, Ammoudara 1, Ammoudara 4, Ammoudara 5
Municipality Chersonissou
Limenas Chersonissou 5, Agios Georgios 1, Agios Georgios 3, Anissaras, Agios Georgios 2/Panagia Rizi, Drapanos, Potamos, Potamos A, Kokkini Chani, Agia Pelagia / Menopetra, Kastri / Creta Maris
Municipality Festou
Matala

LASITHI [44]
Municip. Agiou Nikolaou
Spiliada, Poros 1, Poros 2, Elounda, Pigaidakia Eloundas, Schisma, Elounda 1, Driros, Chiona, Plaka, Chavania 2, Agios Nikolaos 1, Agios Nikolaos 2, Agios Nikolaos 3, Ammoudi, Kitroplateia, Ammos/Marina, Almyros, Ammos/Dimotiki, Pilos, Ammoudara, Voulisma, Agios Panteleimonas, Karavostasi, Chavania 1, Mirabello
Municipality Sitias
Sitia 1/Galliko, Sitia 2/Petra, Vai/Finikodasos, Kouremenos, Chiona, Kato Zakros, Vourlia, Limanaki, Analipsi, Makrygialos Langoufa
Municipality Ierapetras
Ierapetra 1 / Dimotiki, Ierapetra 2 / Dimotiki, Agia Fotia, Myrtos, Koutsounari/Agios Ioannis, Koutsounari 2, Katharades 1, Achlia Schinokapsalon

RODOS [23]
Municipality Rodou
Kiotari 3, Lardos 1, Lardos 3, Afantou 2, Kolymbia, Kolymbia A – Limanaki, Ammoudes/Faliraki, Kavourakia, Kallithea, Mandomata, Faliraki/Kastraki, Faliraki 1, Faliraki 2, Faliraki 3, Faliraki 4, Faliraki 5, Reni 1, Trianta B, Vagies / Ladiko, Faliraki /Kathara, Anatolika Enydriou, Galouni / Kokkinogia, Kremasti-Trianta

KOS [6]
Municipality Ko
Gourniatis, Troulos, Akro Chelonas, Pefkokefali/Agios Fokas, Lambi, Marmari

THIRA [3]
Municipality Thiras
Perissa, Kamari 1, Kamari 2

IOS [3]
Municipality Iiton
Ormos, Mylopotamos, Manganari

MILOS [1]
Municipality Milou
Provatas

SIFNOS [2]
Municipality Sifnou
Kamares, Platis Gialos

PAROS [5]
Municipality Parou
Logaras, Tserdakia, Pounta, Marpissa / Chrysi Akti, Livadia

NAXOS [3]
Municipality Naxou
Agia Anna, Agios Prokopios, Agios Georgios

SYROS [1]
Municip. Syrou-Ermoupolis
Galissas

MYKONOS [1]
Municipality Mykonou
Kalafatis

TINOS [1]
Municipality Tinou
Agios Fokas

ANDROS [1]
Municipality Androu
Delavogia

KEA [1]
Municipality Keas
Koundouros

SAMOS [2]
Municipality Samou
Potokaki 1, Glykoriza

CHIOS [4]
Municipality Chiou
Agia Fotini, Karfas, Dimotiki Plaz Chiou, Agia Paraskevi

LESVOS [8]
Municipality Lesvos
Tsamakia, Eftalou/Ag. Anargyri, Kagia, Anaxos, Agios Isidoros, Molyvos, Vatera, Kanoni Thermis

LIMNOS [4]
Municipality Limnou
Evgatis / Zematas, Agios Ioannis, Thanos, Platy

MARINAS

CHALKIDIKI [2]
Municipality Sithonias
Marina Porto Carras, Municipality Kassandras, Marina Sani

ATTIKI [2]
Municipality Lavreotikis
Οlympic Μarine, Municip. Paleou Falirou, Marina Flisvou

LEFKADA [1]
Municipality Lefkadas
Marina Lefkadas

CORFU/KERKYRA [1]
Municipality Kerkyras
Marina Gouvion

LASITHI [1]
Municipality Agiou Nikolaou
Marina Agiou Nikolaou

KOS [1]
Municipality Ko
Marina Ko

LEROS [1]
Municipality Lerou
Marina Lerou

“The quality of water in Greece’s seas and lakes is known and constitutes a competitive advantage of the country,” Alternate Environment Minister Yiannis Tsironis said.

From the 1540 bathing waters, 1518 were assessed, as 22 points were monitored for the first time in 2014. The new points have not been evaluated for 2014 since the minimum number of samples required by the Directive has not yet been collected.

However, from the initial results of 2014 it is evident that the concentration of microbiological parameters remain below the respective criteria values of excellent quality.

1495 bathing waters are classified as “excellent quality.” One of them is located in inland waters and 1494 in coastal waters. 23 bathing waters are classified as “good quality,” one of which is located in inland waters and 22 in coastal waters. None of the bathing waters was classified as “sufficient quality” or “poor quality.” “It is everyone’s care and obligation – the state and the citizens – to continuously protect our seas and coasts in the best possible way. It is up to us to maintain the quality of our waters forever,” Tsironis added.

Bathing water quality for 2014 was monitored and assessed in the framework of the Monitoring Program of Bathing Water Quality that was implemented under the supervision of the Special Secretariat for Water of the Greek Ministry of Reconstruction of Production, Environment and Energy.

(Source: ANA-MPA)

It all started at 9:30 am on Friday, May 29, when lightning struck six Russian tourists who were on a tour around the archaeological site in Knossos, Crete.

One woman was seriously injured, while the others were caught off guard by the deafening sound and fell to the ground, resulting in slight injuries. Some people fainted, but fortunately they recovered quickly.

However, the one tourist who was seriously injuring is currently fighting for her life. The 46-year-old woman, was brought back to life by three doctors who used a defibrillator. After she was revived, she was transferred to the local Venizeleio Hospital emergency room, which opened specifically to help the woman.

The other 5 Russian tourists were transferred to the General University Hospital of Heraklion which was open at the time.

Meanwhile, panic prevailed at the archaeological site. Nikos Papadakis, the site’s security official noted that “the accident occurred at 9:30 am and while the archaeological site is equipped with a lightning rod, six tourists from Russia who were sitting under a pine tree, were struck by lightning.

They fell to the ground and complained that could not feel their legs. Immediately, an ambulance was called to take them to the hospital. Right now (10:30 am) they are putting the woman that was seriously injured on a stretcher. She is alive. I have given the order to close down the archaeological site and once the situation is cleared we will open once again.”

An unprecedented incident occurred on Saturday, June 6, when fire broke out at a recycling company in Aspropyrgos, Greece. The fire is still burning, however, the Greek Fire Department has the situation under control. They are trying to avoid the risk of expansion by constantly throwing water in the fire to lower the temperature.

On Tuesday, June 9, Greek authorities arrested the person who was temporarily responsible for the company for infringing on environmental protection legislation, while the company’s President and CEO of the company, is accused of the same offenses, and is currently wanted by the police. Furthermore, during an investigation of the premises, the police officers found oil cans, car tires and packages of medicines, for which the company was not licensed.

The state’s response to the incident was delays, given that the Environment Ministry meeting for the assessment of the situation took place on Tuesday, four days after the fire first broke out. Meanwhile, the south and western suburbs of Attica are covered by a toxic cloud since Saturday evening and the residents are concerned about the black cloud that darkened the heavy atmosphere.

The meeting was attended by the Minister of Production Reconstruction, Environment and Energy Panagiotis Lafazanis, as well as the Deputy Minister of Production Reconstruction, Environment and Energy Giannis Tsironis and representatives of other ministries and agencies.

Furthermore, the Greek Ministry of Health’s response was also delayed. Four days after the initial fire, the ministry issued recommendations for citizens, proposing the closure of public or private nurseries, kindergarten, as well as primary and secondary schools in Aspropyrgos. However, most schools opened regularly on Wednesday, as many students were not aware of the news, while others only attended one hour and were sent home later.

At the same time, the Region of Attica proceeded to release pollution index readings, reassuring citizens, even though the first test results showed elevated levels of harmful gases and particulates, mainly in the area of Aspropyrgos. “Early indications show that emissions are 10 times more than normal,” stressed the Deputy Head of Western Attica, Giannis Vasileiou.

Greece’s nature may suffer innumerable disasters this summer season, since the country’s Fire Department is not operating properly.

According to Greek newspaper “Ta Nea,” several fire trucks are currently immobilized because they are lacking tires and spare parts. Furthermore, aircraft are all very old, therefore they are grounded, while the Department also faces shortages in basic equipment.

The shortages are caused by drastic reductions in funding to the Department due to budgetary constraints.

The Department is also understaffed and firefighters are forced to work overtime and over the weekends to meet the Department’s needs.

The Fire Department warns that winter rains have contributed to the increase of vegetation in forests, which inevitably dries over the summer, turning into an excellent fuel for fires. According to data released by the Fire Department, since the first quarter of 2015, fires have increased by 55.4% compared to the same period last year, mainly due to vegetation.

The majority of forest fires, as shown by the statistics, occur due to arson by negligence.

Two fires have already broken out in the Peloponnese, resulting in 6 hectares of burnt woodland and 2 hectares of burnt olive trees. A fire also occurred in Attica on Saturday, June 13.

Tilos is a small Greek island that was known for its herbs and myrrh during ancient times, while today the island is famous for its fragrant honey, rocky beauty and a small plain that pops like a green firework.

The island will become autonomous after implementing an innovative hybrid energy production and storage system, where energy will be exclusively derived from renewable sources. Tilos will be the first Mediterranean island to go fully “green” and become autonomous in regards to energy. This innovative system will be a revolutionary step toward implementing more renewable energy systems across Europe.

The TILOS program has been included in Horizon 2020, the largest EU innovation funding program. TILOS received the highest evaluation among 80 competing projects during the examination process. The program involves 15 partners from seven European countries headed by a research team from the Laboratory of Renewable Energy and Environmental Protection from the University of Piraeus and includes companies like the Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator (HEDNO), WWF Hellas and Eunice, a company with long-term activity in the Renewable Energy Sources (RES) sector.

“Tilos is a small border island that faces many problems, receives little support and has great tenacity. Despite the setbacks, we always try to strive for the best, different and new. TILOS program is an innovative project, consistent with our island’s tradition to protect the environment, which will integrate the island in the global energy leadership, while opening new horizons in the ecotourism field and enhancing the image of our island internationally,” said Tilos’ mayor Maria Kamma Aliferi.

At least six wildfires broke out across Greece on Friday, July 17. The first large-scale fire occurred in Laconia, Peloponnese, where firefighters are still trying to get the situation under control using land vehicles and Canadair aircraft.

More than two villages, a children summer camp and several touristic areas have been evacuated, while the fire is quickly spreading toward Neapoli, where citizens have evacuated the city suburbs and Health Center.

A helicopter that was operating against the fire was saved from a fatal crash by a Greek hero pilot.

Later in the day, another two wildfires broke out in Kareas and Koropi, Athens. The Kareas fire has spread toward the districts of Ymittos, Vyronas and Argyroupoli. Residents are helping firefighters in an attempt to save their homes and businesses.

No injuries or deaths have been reported yet, but, according to Greek media, a house and a local restaurant have been damaged by the fire.

A fourth wildfire occurred near Chalkis, Euboea, where the village of Afrati was evacuated and residents were transferred to safety. According to Greek authorities, the fire continues to blaze out of control. The local mayor warned that the situation is crucial since the fire is burning on a very big front, about 600 meters from the village.

Very strong winds are blowing in the area, covering it in smoke and spreading panic on local residents.

Early in the afternoon, a fifth wildfire broke out in Malakasa, near Athens, and a sixth one is currently spreading across Argolis, Peloponnese. The fire department does not yet have a clear picture of the situation in these areas.

The 79 fires that broke out on Friday in Greece have left one person dead, threatened various residential areas and raised suspicions about the causes of the outbreaks.

Firefighters and police officers found a completely carbonised body of man in the Kareas area of Ymittos on Saturday evening.  Meanwhile, a 48-year-old man has gone missing in Ymittos since Friday afternoon and authorities do not have any insight as to where he could be. They could not say if the man found dead is the man that has been missing as they have to run DNA tests first.

The fire that burned Ymittos mountain was severe and seriously threatened houses at the area of Kareas, which is close to Athens’s centre.

So far, two beekeepers have been arrested for causing the fire in Ymittos and will be charged with negligent arson.

Winds in Greece were very strong on Friday, but the simultaneous outbreak of fires around Greece has raised some questions, even by the country’s high ranking officials.

Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos expressed his belief that there are ulterior motives behind these fires.

“It is very possible -although the Fire Department will decide this- that there is arson at play, making us feel that this is 2007. The Armed Forces will be in the mountains in order to prevent these events,” Kammenos said.

Laconia, which is the southern Peloponnese territory, also suffered significant damage from the fires. According to reports, 40 houses were damaged in the city of Neapoli while around 10,000 olive trees were burned. A beekeeper was arrested for negligent arson.

Major fires also threatened communities in Malakasa, outside Athens. The fire put 130 camp children at immediate risk. The children were safely moved away from the camp. The flames persisted until late Friday night.

Official reports warn that there is a very big likelihood that there will be new outbreaks in the country on Sunday.

Scientists taking part in an investigation on the location of the second largest volcanic eruption in human history, the waters of the Greek island of Santorini, recently discovered opalescent pools of hydrothermal activity forming at a depth of 250 meters.

During the investigation, researchers facilitated their efforts to explore the chemistry of the caldera waters using two autonomous underwater vehicles. What they found was that there are milky carbon dioxide-rich pools in depressions along the caldera wall.

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) scientist Richard Camilli, talking about the study’s findings that were published on July 16 in the “Scientific Reports” journal, explained: “What we have here is like a ‘black and tan’ — think Guinness and Bass [Ale] — where the two fluids actually remain separate.”

“Now these never-before-seen pools in the volcano’s crater may help our civilization answer important questions about how carbon dioxide behaves in the ocean,” Camilli revealed, adding that this scientific discovery may even provide a means of monitoring the volcano for future eruptions.