The ship, which sank 43 years ago on Navagio beach in Zakynthos, Greece, is in danger of being washed away by the sea.
Recent Instagram posts showed significant deterioration in the ship’s condition over the past ten years, according to SchengenVisaInfo.com. Residents and tourism industry representatives are calling on authorities to take action as soon as possible, highlighting the importance of the site to the island’s revenue. In addition, some are willing to take responsibility and financially support the preservation of this landmark.
The ship will probably be saved. The authorities have already promised to do everything possible for this. The island’s mayor even contacted the Greek Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Economy and Finance to help protect the site.
Despite its popularity on Instagram among tourists in Zakynthos, the ship on Navagio Beach has also become famous due to several incidents. Last March, the Greek government extended the ban on visitors to Navigo Beach in Zakynthos. This decision was made after a review by the Organization of Anti-Seismic Planning and Protection (OASP) in connection with seismic activity and landslide phenomena.
In September 2022, the beach was closed after reports of a landslide due to a magnitude 5.4 earthquake. However, tourists were still allowed to visit the site. Entering the sand or swimming near the ruins was strictly prohibited.
Also in 2018, seven people, including two children, were injured when a 200-meter cliff collapsed onto the beach. The most serious injury was a spinal fracture in a 34-year-old woman from the Czech Republic.
Navagio Beach got its name after a strong storm that led to the grounding of the ship Panagiotis in October 1980. It was then believed that the ship was carrying contraband. The captain and several crew members were arrested. But later they were acquitted.
After this incident, residents feared that it would damage the reputation of the beach and the island. However, the location, on the contrary, has become a tourist attraction and gained popularity on social networks.