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Milos mayor addresses tourist safety at Sarakiniko after near-drowning
🇬🇷 Greece /Culture & Society

Milos mayor addresses tourist safety at Sarakiniko after near-drowning

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The mayor of Milos responded to concerns about tourist safety at Sarakiniko beach after a recent incident where a tourist nearly drowned.
  • The municipality has implemented lifeguard services, signage, and buoys, despite Sarakiniko not being officially classified as a beach.
  • Officials emphasize individual responsibility, especially during strong winds when swimming from the rocks is dangerous.

Milos Mayor Manolis Mikelis has addressed public concerns regarding tourist safety at the popular Sarakiniko site, emphasizing individual responsibility following an incident where a tourist narrowly escaped drowning.

There is also individual responsibility.

— Manolis MikelisThe Mayor of Milos emphasized personal accountability for safety at Sarakiniko.

Mikelis stated that Sarakiniko now has organized lifeguard coverage from June 1st, 2026, with two lifeguards patrolling from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. This is the first year such services have been implemented, despite Sarakiniko not being officially designated as a beach. The municipality invested approximately 1.2 million euros for lifeguard coverage across Milos's 74 beaches, including less frequented but more hazardous areas.

We made a great effort, because it is not a beach, to get approval and be allowed to place lifeguards.

— Manolis MikelisThe Mayor explained the challenges in establishing lifeguard services at Sarakiniko.

Informative signs detailing the risks have been placed at the entrance, and buoys have been installed in the water to assist swimmers in distress. Mikelis explained that securing approval for lifeguards at Sarakiniko required significant effort due to its unofficial beach status. He noted that the danger increases substantially during strong north winds (Force 7 Beaufort scale) when waves are high, making it unsafe to jump from the rocks.

When there are strong north winds and significant wave action, it is not safe to jump from the rocks. That is why we continuously inform people and the lifeguards constantly make recommendations to visitors.

— Manolis MikelisThe Mayor described the specific dangers at Sarakiniko during certain weather conditions.

Lifeguards continuously advise visitors about these dangers. However, Mikelis pointed out that lifeguards can only offer advice and cannot make arrests. The mayor's comments come after a video of a woman struggling in the waves at Sarakiniko went viral, reviving memories of a double tragedy in August 2025 when two Vietnamese tourists died at the same location. A representative from the Panhellenic Union of Private and Professional Yacht Crews had previously cited serious safety deficiencies at the site.

Lifeguards can only give advice, they cannot make an arrest.

— Manolis MikelisThe Mayor clarified the limitations of the lifeguard's authority.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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