Hundreds of thousands of dead fish washed up on a tourist port in Greece. The fish started collecting in the central city of Volos this week after they were expelled from their freshwater regions due to flooding the previous year.

The floating remains of the fish have covered the port with a silvery blanket that "spans kilometres". The residents and authorities rushed to the site to remove them before the stench reached hotels and restaurants in the area.

The fish were collected using nets by trawlers and were put in the back of trucks on Wednesday. According to the authorities, over 40 tonnes of fish have been piled up in the last 24 hours.

Achilleas Beos, the mayor of Volos, said the odour was unbearable. In a press conference on Wednesday, he blamed the government for not handling the issue before it reached the city. The rotting fish could pose an environmental threat to other species in the region, he added.

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<h2>Aftermath of last year's flood</h2>

According to experts, the historic floods in the Thessaly plane farther north last year was the cause behind this incident. The flood water refilled a lake drained in 1962 to prevent the spread of malaria, causing it to swell by three times more than its normal state.

The water in the lake receded and pushed the fish to the Volos port that drains into the salt water of Pagasetic Gulf and the Aegean Sea. The river flowing to Volos did not have any net placed at its mouth to stop the fish from going into saltwater of the sea, which likely killed them, said the experts.

“They didn’t do the obvious, to put a protective net,” Mayor Beos said, blaming the government authorities.

The environment ministry has not commented on the issue yet. An investigation has been ordered by the local prosecutors.

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Scientists have linked the disaster to climate change which caused extreme weather in Greece. This resulted in scorching high temperatures and unpredictable rainfall that caused wildfires and floods in the country.

<h2>'Too late' for local restaurants</h2>

“Closing the barrier now doesn’t help,” said Dimosthenis Bakoyiannis, a beach restaurant owner near Volos. “Now it’s too late, the tourist season is over.”&nbsp;

Bakoyiannis claims his turnover has significantly dropped by 80% this season as tourists did not want to visit after the floods.

“The situation with this dead fish will be the death of us,” said the president of the local association of restaurants and bars, Stefanos Stefanou. “What visitor will come to our city after this?”

(With inputs from agencies)

Hundreds of thousands of dead fish washed up on a tourist port in Greece. The fish started collecting in the central city of Volos this week after they were expelled from their freshwater regions due to flooding the previous year.

Hundreds of thousands of dead fish washed up on a tourist port in Greece. The fish started collecting in the central city of Volos this week after they were expelled from their freshwater regions due to flooding the previous year. The floating remains of the fish have covered the port with a silvery blanket that "spans kilometres". The residents and authorities rushed to the site to remove them before the stench reached hotels and restaurants in the area. The fish were collected using nets by trawlers and were put in the back of trucks on Wednesday. According to the authorities, over 40 tonnes of fish have been piled up in the last 24 hours. Achilleas Beos, the mayor of Volos, said the odour was unbearable. In a press conference on Wednesday, he blamed the government for not handling the issue before it reached the city. The rotting fish could pose an environmental threat to other species in the region, he added. Also read | 'Save Our Seas': UN issues SOS over fast-rising Pacific Ocean Aftermath of last year's flood According to experts, the historic floods in the Thessaly plane farther north last year was the cause behind this incident. The flood water refilled a lake drained in 1962 to prevent the spread of malaria, causing it to swell by three times more than its normal state. The water in the lake receded and pushed the fish to the Volos port that drains into the salt water of Pagasetic Gulf and the Aegean Sea. The river flowing to Volos did not have any net placed at its mouth to stop the fish from going into saltwater of the sea, which likely killed them, said the experts. “They didn’t do the obvious, to put a protective net,” Mayor Beos said, blaming the government authorities. The environment ministry has not commented on the issue yet. An investigation has been ordered by the local prosecutors. Also read | World will lose 50 heritage sites till 2050 because of climate change, predict experts Scientists have linked the disaster to climate change which caused extreme weather in Greece. This resulted in scorching high temperatures and unpredictable rainfall that caused wildfires and floods in the country. 'Too late' for local restaurants “Closing the barrier now doesn’t help,” said Dimosthenis Bakoyiannis, a beach restaurant owner near Volos. “Now it’s too late, the tourist season is over.” Bakoyiannis claims his turnover has significantly dropped by 80% this season as tourists did not want to visit after the floods. “The situation with this dead fish will be the death of us,” said the president of the local association of restaurants and bars, Stefanos Stefanou. “What visitor will come to our city after this?” (With inputs from agencies)

Tonnes of dead fish wash up on Greek tourist port after flooding

Persons with disabilities are no different than those without. The indomitable human spirit, fierce aspirations and a good heart does not need any worldly means. But it is also true that physical handicap does create hurdles which may not be present in lives of people who don't have them. Greece has taken a step to address this and make the world a more equitable place.&nbsp;

A system is being set up on Greek beaches that will allow wheelchair-bound people to access waters unassisted. It is a free service and has been indigenously developed in the country. At present, this Seatrac system has been installed on 150 beaches in the country. The system allows a wheelchair-bound person to lower the seat to the level of water while letting out a retractable path. The person can get to the water using the newly-built path. The path is guarded by railings.

Greek Tourism Ministry has said that the system will be installed on a total of 287 beaches across the country. &nbsp;The system will be made available in addition to essential facilities like bathroom/ changing facilities, ramps, corridors, refreshment bars and so on.

“Equal access to the sea is an inalienable human right,” said Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias, according to Greek Reporter.

The tourism ministry said that if diverse population can access the beaches, it will also give boost to the economy. If such measures are taken, even elderly people, in addition to those with disabilities will be able to enjoy the sun and sand. Such measures will also make it easy for people with temporary injuries and even pregnant women.

The tourism ministry reportedly has also developed a website dedicated to informing and educating people about latest developments.

The government has said that making beaches accessible to people with disabilities will let them enjoy water activities like swimming. This will be beneficial for mental and physical wellbeing of a person.

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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Persons with disabilities are no different than those without. The indomitable human spirit, fierce aspirations and a good heart does not need any worldly means.

Persons with disabilities are no different than those without. The indomitable human spirit, fierce aspirations and a good heart does not need any worldly means. But it is also true that physical handicap does create hurdles which may not be present in lives of people who don't have them. Greece has taken a step to address this and make the world a more equitable place. A system is being set up on Greek beaches that will allow wheelchair-bound people to access waters unassisted. It is a free service and has been indigenously developed in the country. At present, this Seatrac system has been installed on 150 beaches in the country. The system allows a wheelchair-bound person to lower the seat to the level of water while letting out a retractable path. The person can get to the water using the newly-built path. The path is guarded by railings. Greek Tourism Ministry has said that the system will be installed on a total of 287 beaches across the country. The system will be made available in addition to essential facilities like bathroom/ changing facilities, ramps, corridors, refreshment bars and so on. “Equal access to the sea is an inalienable human right,” said Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias, according to Greek Reporter. The tourism ministry said that if diverse population can access the beaches, it will also give boost to the economy. If such measures are taken, even elderly people, in addition to those with disabilities will be able to enjoy the sun and sand. Such measures will also make it easy for people with temporary injuries and even pregnant women. The tourism ministry reportedly has also developed a website dedicated to informing and educating people about latest developments. The government has said that making beaches accessible to people with disabilities will let them enjoy water activities like swimming. This will be beneficial for mental and physical wellbeing of a person. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Greece makes beaches wheelchair-friendly, installs indigenous system

Greeks flocked to the seaside on Saturday (May 16) when more than 500 beaches reopened, as the country sought to walk the fine line between protecting people from COVID-19

Greeks return to beaches in heatwave,

Greek authorities announced on Thursday that they&nbsp;will open 515&nbsp;organised beaches of&nbsp;the country&nbsp;on May 16.

The public will be allowed to visit the beaches from 8am onwards but they will be required to follow the new social distancing norms and all the recommendations of the Infectious Diseases Committee of&nbsp;the Health Ministry.

This announcement comes among predictions of&nbsp;an extreme heatwave to&nbsp;sweep Greece this weekend with temperatures close to 40°C.

"This will be an important test which we must come through ... We shall have to show that with rules and a serious approach we shall be able to enjoy our country's beauty in total security," government spokesman Stelios Petsas said.

Greece&nbsp;is applying strict rules to beach use despite having escaped relatively lightly during the COVID-19 pandemic with 152 deaths to date and 2,744 cases.

A maximum 40 people will be allowed per 10,800 square feet&nbsp;of beach while parasols must be placed four metres apart.

Loungers will be sprayed with disinfectant after every use and there will be no cafe or drinks services.&nbsp;

Athens is keen to prove itself proactive and reassure visitors as the summer season approaches.

As&nbsp;Greece&nbsp;began to exit confinement on May 4, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said he was committed to doing all he could to ensure the tourist season can begin from July 1.&nbsp;

The government is still fine-tuning its approach, notably with regard to virus-related rules governing transport links.

Under provisional rules, restaurants and cafes are to resume business from June 1 and hotels from the end of June.

As&nbsp;Greece&nbsp;races to rescue its summer plans, the International Monetary Fund has already warned the country stands to make huge losses given that tourism accounts for a 12 per cent slice of GDP, comparable with Spain.

According to the IMF, the pandemic shock to the economy and six weeks of confinement will see Greek GDP sink around 10 percent this year before a 5.5 per cent recovery in 2021.&nbsp;

Greek authorities announced on Thursday that they will open 515 organised beaches of the country on May 16. The public will be allowed to visit the beaches from 8am onwards but they will be required to follow the new social distancing norms and all the recommendations of the Infectious Diseases Committee of the Health Ministry.

Greek authorities announced on Thursday that they will open 515 organised beaches of the country on May 16. The public will be allowed to visit the beaches from 8am onwards but they will be required to follow the new social distancing norms and all the recommendations of the Infectious Diseases Committee of the Health Ministry. This announcement comes among predictions of an extreme heatwave to sweep Greece this weekend with temperatures close to 40°C. "This will be an important test which we must come through ... We shall have to show that with rules and a serious approach we shall be able to enjoy our country's beauty in total security," government spokesman Stelios Petsas said. Greece is applying strict rules to beach use despite having escaped relatively lightly during the COVID-19 pandemic with 152 deaths to date and 2,744 cases. A maximum 40 people will be allowed per 10,800 square feet of beach while parasols must be placed four metres apart. Loungers will be sprayed with disinfectant after every use and there will be no cafe or drinks services. Athens is keen to prove itself proactive and reassure visitors as the summer season approaches. As Greece began to exit confinement on May 4, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said he was committed to doing all he could to ensure the tourist season can begin from July 1. The government is still fine-tuning its approach, notably with regard to virus-related rules governing transport links. Under provisional rules, restaurants and cafes are to resume business from June 1 and hotels from the end of June. As Greece races to rescue its summer plans, the International Monetary Fund has already warned the country stands to make huge losses given that tourism accounts for a 12 per cent slice of GDP, comparable with Spain. According to the IMF, the pandemic shock to the economy and six weeks of confinement will see Greek GDP sink around 10 percent this year before a 5.5 per cent recovery in 2021.

Greece to open 'organised' beaches with strict social distancing norms on May 16

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Tonnes of dead fish wash up on Greek tourist port after flooding

Greece makes beaches wheelchair-friendly, installs indigenous system

Greeks return to beaches in heatwave,

Greece to open 'organised' beaches with strict social distancing norms on May 16