Several images showing passengers disembarking from a ferry boat by jumping directly into the water off Balos Beach, in western Crete, have gone viral on social media.
Balos Beach is located on the extreme western coast of Crete and is one of the most famous beaches in Mediterranean, known for its crystal-clear turquoise waters, fine white and and a picturesque lagoon.
Passengers can be seen getting off the vessel’s platform via ladder steps and wading waist deep to reach the shore. Elderly people, those with mobility problems and children that could not follow suit and were forced to stay onboard.

Local media outlet zarpanews posted a statement from a US tourist describing the situation as “unacceptable”. Of the 800-900 passengers, the woman notes, “most stayed on the ship out of fear. Only about 40 people got off, and everyone returned angry and disappointed.”

The problem began when the relevant ministry of maritime affairs & insular policy decided to prohibit the installation of a floating platform, ostensibly to protect the beach environment and curb the latest neologism being bantered by media and certain political quarters, namely, over-tourism.

After the dissemination of the images, however, the disembarkation platform was quickly reinstalled.

Speaking to state-broadcaster ERT, Giorgos Mylonakis, the mayor of Kissamos, the municipality where Balos Beach is located, emphasized that removal of the platform was a mistake. He said that in order to resolve the issue promptly ferry owners themselves paid for the re-installation – with the state’s consent – of a floating platform.

He also pointed out that issues that theoretically can be resolved in five minutes, in practice, are often hindered by bureaucracy, mentioning how plans to reinstall the platform had already been in the works before the peak tourist season.

He also expressed his thanks for the media coverage. “We want to highlight the positives and correct the negatives. As of today, the platform is in place, and everything is back to normal,” he concluded.