Zakynthos’s popular attraction, the 43-year-old shipwreck at Navagio Beach, faces the risk of being washed away. Recent Instagram posts have revealed the significant deterioration of the vessel over the past ten years. Residents and tourism operators are calling on authorities to intervene as soon as possible, emphasizing its significance for the island’s income. Some have even offered to take charge of and financially support the preservation of the shipwreck.
The Zakynthos municipality is now looking to manage the shipwreck and restore any damages. The mayor of Zakynthos and MP Dionysis Aktypis are urging the Greek Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Economy and Finance to step in and protect the site.
Despite being a famous Instagram destination on Zakynthos Island, the 43-year-old shipwreck on Navagio Beach is also known for some incidents that happened years ago. In March last year, the Greek government extended the ban on entering Navagio beach due to seismic activity and landslide phenomena. The site was also closed after a landslide was reported due to a 5.4 magnitude earthquake in September 2022.
In addition, in 2018, seven people, including two children, were hurt when a 200-meter-high rock collapsed on this beach. The most serious injury so far was a spinal fracture suffered by a 34-year-old Czech woman. Navagio Beach got its name after a strong storm led to the grounding of the Panagiotis ship in October 1980.
Despite these incidents, Zakynthos continues to be a favourite destination among international tourists. Last year, Austrian nationals expressed a higher interest in visiting Greek Islands, with Zakynthos among them. In order to meet the demand, Austrian Airlines announced the launch of direct flights to 21 destinations in Greece, including Zakynthos. Furthermore, last year, Zakynthos and other Greek Islands were among the top holiday destinations for Irish tourists.
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