High seismicity over a wider area resulting in a high probability landslides, rocks that collapsed around the wreck, and the possibility of a tsunami if the slopes outside the beach collapsed. These were the main reasons why access to the beach was denied again The “shipwreck” of Zakynthos after the autopsy conducted on March 8, 2023 by the OASP scientific team led by the president, Prof. Efthymios Lekkas.

V risk assessment document in the area of ​​the crash of Zakynthos, which has come into the possession of “K”, the president of the UAPA details the natural hazards of the island’s famous landmark to nearby boats, bathers and visitors.

Based on the autopsy conducted by the scientific team, it is proposed to prohibit access to the Zone of Prohibited Controlled Access, as well as to have the appropriate signaling ban. It is also suggested that they be held at least twice a year. investigations and autopsies in the area to explore the evolution of the phenomenon.

The main reason Wreck was closed again

Speaking to K, Manolis Vassilakis, Associate Professor of Remote Sensing and Morphotectonics and Director of the Remote Sensing Laboratory at EKPA, explains to us the most basic role that beach visitor protection measures must continue to play.

“Of all the reasons, the most dangerous for the citizens is the possibility of rockfalls, which have lost their grip on the rest of the rock and become “loose” either due to a seismic event or even due to heavy rain. We systematically studied the beach at Navagio in Zakynthos for five years as part of a regional program. Every time there is a landslide like the one that happened last September, it happens slope mapping using aerial photography from an unmanned aerial vehicle (Drone) to create an updated 3D terrain model using photogrammetric methods and compare it with the earlier ones we have already built. In this way, we identify and quantify local changes on rocky slopes and propose measures in individual places,” said Mr. Vasilakis.

Mr. Vasilakis noted that a total of eight beaches in the Ionian Islands were included in the specific risk study.

“In addition to the “Crash” in Zakynthos, we are also actively exploring the beaches. Porto Katsiki” and “Egremnoy” in Lefkada, beaches “Myrtle” and “C” in Kefalonia, part of the beach”glyfada“in Corfu but also on the beach”Straw“Also on Zakynthos,” he notes, though others may soon join.

Two tests for “Crash”

Ionian Regional Governor Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou also spoke to K about the decision to ban access to The Wreck, noting that Greece’s second most photographed attraction currently has two problems.

“One challenge concerns marine part from where, until recently, thousands of visitors came every week, and the second – rocks above and around from Fragments, which are also available to the public,” Ms. Kraca added that at the moment the first task of the district is the construction protective bar on the rocks, as well as the presence of a security company guarding the territory.

“As for the marine part, there should be a fence so that the ships do not approach, as well as equipping the port with an additional vessel so that it can be in place in time in case of an emergency,” he said. adds.

Regarding the risk investigations that are “underway” within the county’s programs, Ms. Kraca noted that “the NSRF Coastal Research Funding Program will be expanded to allow scientific reviews to continue on the remaining beaches in June.”