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Divers terrorized by underwater dynamite blasts in Evia
🇬🇷 Greece /Crime & Justice

Divers terrorized by underwater dynamite blasts in Evia

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Two amateur fishermen experienced terror while spearfishing in southern Evia when they encountered illegal dynamite fishing.
  • The blasts, used for illegal fishing, endangered human lives and the marine environment, causing physical discomfort and disorientation.
  • Experts confirm this is not an isolated incident, with similar destructive practices occurring in other Greek regions, damaging ecosystems for profit.

Two amateur fishermen narrowly escaped serious injury and terror while spearfishing in southern Evia, Greece, when illegal dynamite blasts erupted around them. The incident occurred as unknown individuals used explosives for illegal fishing, posing a grave threat to human life and the marine ecosystem.

I heard it while I was underwater. I was shocked, I realized it was dynamite.

— Tassos ChalariDescribing the moment he realized dynamite was being used nearby.

Tassos Chalari, a representative for the Panhellenic Federation of Amateur Fishing Associations, described the harrowing experience. "I heard it while I was underwater. I was shocked, I realized it was dynamite," he told ALPHA.

Lirian Dutska recounted the terrifying sequence of explosions. "Before we realized it, another one went off. There were four in a row. We had intense discomfort in our stomachs and ears. It's painful. You lose your orientation, you don't know what exactly happened," he said.

Before we realized it, another one went off. There were four in a row. We had intense discomfort in our stomachs and ears. It's painful. You lose your orientation, you don't know what exactly happened.

— Lirian DutskaRecounting the physical and mental impact of the explosions.

Chalari emphasized that this is a widespread problem. "In the back parts of Kavo Doro, we traditionally encountered dynamite all the time. We've encountered dynamite everywhere. Even in Aegina," he stated.

In the back parts of Kavo Doro, we traditionally encountered dynamite all the time. We've encountered dynamite everywhere. Even in Aegina.

— Tassos ChalariHighlighting the prevalence of illegal dynamite fishing in various Greek locations.

Dutska highlighted the devastating consequences of dynamite fishing. "They cause damage. Whether to human lives, or to the seabed, they kill eggs, fry. It leaves a dead place," he explained. Ms. Miliou, research director at the 'Archipelago' Institute, confirmed the severity, noting that such destructive practices are rampant in southern Crete, Evia, Koufonisia, Kalymnos, and other areas, destroying ecosystems for easy profit and endangering people.

They cause damage. Whether to human lives, or to the seabed, they kill eggs, fry. It leaves a dead place.

— Lirian DutskaExplaining the destructive consequences of dynamite fishing on marine life and habitats.
About this summary

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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