Greece Boosts Beach Safety with €15M Lifeguard Outlay

Despite budget allocations, municipalities often struggle to attract qualified individuals to fulfill lifeguard roles, posing potential gaps in beach safety.

Just before the summer season kicks off, the Ministry of Interior has earmarked a substantial sum of 15 million euros to subsidize municipalities nationwide for lifeguard services on both organized and unorganized beaches.

Under the directive of Deputy Minister Theodoros Livanios, the subsidy for 129 municipalities has been approved, a significant increase of 5 million euros compared to the previous year.

Declared income is set to soar

The incomes Greeks declared to the tax office last year were lower than the corresponding ones in 2008. For 2024, however, the government is anticipating a historic high in the “raw material” for the imposition of income tax.

Over 400 died in water-related activities in 2023

Over 400 people lost their lives in 2023 while participating in recreational water-based activities, a report by the Safe Water Sports organisation has found.

Of the 407 fatalities, 400 people lost their lives at sea and the rest in activities in internal waters bodies like lakes, rivers and pools.

The death toll has increased by 4% since 2022, when 379 people lost their lives.

Of the fatalities at sea, 272 (68%) were Greek and 124 were foreigners. The nationality of the remaining four was not established.

Fatalities at beaches were most likely to occur between noon and 1 p.m. (14% of deaths).

Just over half (56%) of fatal accidents took place on beaches with no lifeguard coverage.

Greece: Public sector workers to strike nationwide and protest in Athens May 21

The Civil Servants' Confederation (ADEDY) has called for a 24-hour strike in Greece on May 21. The strike has been organized over pay and workers' rights. Striking workers could stage further pickets in major urban centers near institutional buildings and in central squares.

ADEDY has not yet indicated the full extent of the strike's impact, but precedent suggests the industrial action will affect all public sector services, including transport, health, and public administration, prompting transport and business disruptions nationwide for the duration of the action.

EU: Over 500 firefighters prepared this year to help countries like Greece, France, and Spain

The 556 firefighters will come from 12 countries of the Commission – A special fleet of 28 planes and 4 helicopters to be stationed in 10 member states

More than 500 firefighters from 12 countries will be on the front lines in key locations in Europe for instance, Greece, France, and Spain, to help tackle wildfires this summer. Specifically, as stated by the European Commission in its announcement, 556 firefighters from 12 countries will be deployed to key locations in Europe ready to assist local firefighting forces. This preventive measure enhances Europe’s readiness to combat forest fires and mitigate their devastating effects, highlighting the EU’s solidarity in addressing such crises.

Additionally, the EU has assembled a special fleet of firefighting aircraft from rescEU for this summer, consisting of 28 planes and 4 helicopters stationed in 10 member states.

Specifically, the fleet will include:

– Four medium amphibious airplanes, two light airplanes, and one helicopter from Greece
– Two medium amphibious aircraft from Croatia
– Two medium amphibious aircraft and two light aircraft from Italy
– Two medium amphibious aircraft from Spain
– Four medium amphibious aircraft and one helicopter from France
– Four light aircraft from Sweden
– Two light aircraft from Portugal