'Sunbed war' in Greece leaves 82-year-old dead after beach fight
A seemingly minor dispute over a sunbed on a crowded Attica beach escalated dramatically, ending in tragedy for those involved.
A heated altercation between two elderly men over a sunbed on an Athens beach on Sunday morning led to the death of an 82-year-old man, according to initial reports from Greek authorities. The dispute occurred at the popular Akti Vouliagmenis beach shortly before 10:00 am, when a 76-year-old man, accompanied by a 21-year-old woman, confronted an 82-year-old over a desired sunbed spot.
The confrontation escalated into a physical fight, during which the older man collapsed and was later determined to have suffered a cardiac arrest. A nurse on duty attempted to revive him using CPR and a defibrillator before he was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead. The 76-year-old suspect was arrested on suspicion of causing fatal bodily injury, while the 21-year-old woman was released without charge.
The incident highlights the growing tensions surrounding sunbed reservations in popular Greek beaches, exacerbated by the surge in tourism and the exorbitant prices charged for these coveted spots. The issue has gained public attention, with the towel movement, a citizen initiative advocating for free access to beach space, spreading across Greece.
Greek authorities have also taken measures to combat illegal sunbed placements, employing drones, satellite imagery, and a complaints app to identify and address the problem. According to the law, at least 70% of every beach must remain unobstructed, with sunbeds placed at least 4 meters away from the shoreline.
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