Disbelief in Greece as terrified tourists are told to disembark from ferry into the SEA and wade through neck-deep water to reach beauty spot after officials banned use of floating platform
- Hundreds of tourists had to wade through the sea at Balos beach in Crete
- The lagoon is known on the Greek island as an area of exceptional beauty
- Have you been a passenger on these boats? Email fran.wolfisz@dailymail.co.uk
Terrified tourists were told to disembark from a ferry and wade through neck-deep water to reach a stunning Greek site after authorities banned the use of a floating platform.
Footage of the bizarre moment shows dozens of tourists carrying their bags above their heads as they sail through the dazzling blue water to a beach in Crete.
But instead of using a floating platform at Balos, which would have made disembarking much safer, passengers had to dive into the water and wade through it after authorities banned the use of the platforms over fears of overtourism, according to local reports.
The lagoon is known in Crete for its pristine white sand and exotic turquoise waters. It is home to rare animals and plants that have protected status, including Eleonora’s falcons, monk seals and loggerhead turtles.
Images appear on social media showing a crowd of tourists being forced to don swimsuits, step out of the ferry hatch and hoist their belongings above their heads as they wade through deep water to reach their destination.
A rope is stretched between the beach and the ferry to guide tourists along the water.
Hundreds of terrified tourists are forced to disembark from their ferry into the sea and slowly wade through neck-deep water to reach a natural beauty spot in Balos, Crete
Passengers can be seen exiting the ferry hatch and walking through the water
Some are laughing nervously at the situation and according to witnesses, many are too scared to even try.
Children and the elderly also had to stay on the boat, because the crossing was considered too dangerous for them.
According to zarpa newsAn American tourist called it an “unacceptable situation” for most passengers aboard the ferries, which can carry a maximum of 900 people.
The tourist said, ‘Most people stayed on the ship out of fear.
‘Only about 40 people got out and everyone came back angry and disappointed.’
According to the Greek Press Agency in.grThe Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy imposed the ban to protect the beach from overtourism.
However, they have reversed this decision after seeing the footage and the floating platform will reopen soon, in.gr reports.
According to research site StatisticsIn 2023, more than 800,000 people visited Crete from the UK, the second highest number after Germany, which sent 1.2 million tourists to the Greek island.
In the footage, some people can be heard laughing nervously at the situation, but witnesses say many passengers are too scared to even attempt the task.
The lagoon at Balos is known in Crete for its pristine white sand and exotic turquoise waters and is home to rare animals and plants that have a protected status