One of the most popular beaches in Thassos, the Greek island preferred by Romanians, hides a deadly danger to tourists. A Romanian spoke about the “silent killer” who can turn his vacation into a nightmare.
Some beaches in Thassos hide a deadly danger to tourists. Photo: Pixabay
A user of a Facebook group dedicated to holidays in Thassos Island draws an alarm signal:
“Attention to Paradise Beach !!! I don’t know when you get, but be careful. But the easiest thing you don’t get there. I was ‘hanging’, a few years ago, but I went well, not knowing, from ignorance, what happened.“
The user also attached a Google Earth image, surprising these “silent killers”.
What are RIP currents?
RIP currents (also called riptides or drain currents) are strong and narrow marine currents, which move rapidly from the shore to the width, through a deeper space between the sandy banks or at the beach entries.
They are one of the most dangerous situations for swimmers and are responsible for most of the cases of drowning at sea.
Such a current can be recognized by: darker water, with foam or sand pulled off; waves that break less in a narrow tape; floating debris that seem to be “aspirated” offshore.
The image of Google Earth posted by the user who pulled the alarm signal.
Tourist: “Dangerous currents even in small water”
A similar post was made by another Romanian tourist in Greece, at the beginning of August:
“Take care of the Paradise Beach, there are at least two places where RIP currents are formed, which pull you strongly. The water is up to the knee over a distance of 50-70 meters from the shore.”
A woman confirms: “It is perfectly true! Today I was and felt exactly this description: the waves were hit but at the feet the currents were drawn in a completely different direction, in the water until the belt …”
Another Internet use adds: “RIP currents are also with us, you just have to know how to get out of it, in no case.”
Traumatic experiences
A tourist5 tells: “I happened to the paradise, in the water to my knees … this for the unbelievers. The water to the knees and quite large waves. I burst a wave and he shot me down and when I was trying to get up another and I was running continuously.
Another commentator remembers from childhood: “” I can really shoot you. I tell you that I was little, 10 years old, for the first time, I was sitting at the shore and they came up and took me and I was. I was open by the eyes and saw a leg, I got on it and I was saved.
“Thank you for the warning. We are not all Popovici,” says someone else.
“I was and it is very super, if you do not know how to swim you do not venture too far.” CAnother internet is made.
Cases of rescue to the limit
Anca-Elena Horbaniuc told the terrifying experience: “I was also caught with the children this year in such a current on this beach. When there are waves, in that area the water reaches the shoulders and if you get in currents you can get out of there. Good luck with the husband who was near and he pulled us from there. Terrious experience!”
Christian Roman, a former performance swimmer, tells how a man saved: “I experienced … swim at an angle of 45 degrees to the shore (oblique) or lateral, until you manage to go out of the current. I do not want to give advice, I only tell you how I do … even on this vacation, thank you for God, I managed to escape a boy of about 120 kg from drowning, that I took the waves. The Turk with the translator to me to thank me.
Divided opinions
Some tourists say they never felt the danger:
“I have been going with the children for 8 years and I have not happened. Moreover, the water is a good piece to the ankles, then to the knee. I think you have 100 m to reach the big water. As a defense measure against these currents, the most important thing is not to panic. You leave and go out.”
But others confirm the risk:
“By 2018, I happened to pull one of those currents, even in the picture area. I was not far from the shore, waves of 20-30 cm and suddenly, although I was swimming to the shore, I was going to be louder.
“We also got currents in Skala Potamia. From two waves, his wife removed at over 5 meters, swim at me, but he moved away. When I got to her, I was still getting down and I was hard to stand.”
“Yes, yes, I confirm! We have happened this year, we were lucky, but we will never return to this beach.”
“A few years ago, on the left side as you look at the water, my comrades saved 5 people from the drowning. For the last, a lady, they had to make a cord, to hold about 10 people. They managed to save her. Then she, revolted that she lost her sunglasses in the water.”
