{
  "id": 16859697,
  "title": "Ithaca's natural horseshoe harbour is picturesque – but it hides a dirty secret",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/ithacas-natural-horseshoe-harbour-is-picturesque-but-it-hides-a-dirty",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-28T06:31:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Euronews",
    "slug": "euronews",
    "url": "https://www.euronews.com/2026/10/28/ithacas-natural-horseshoe-harbour-is-picturesque-but-it-hides-a-dirty-secret"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On the picturesque Greek island of Ithaca, the natural horseshoe harbour of Vathy hides a troubling secret. A recent volunteer diving operation has revealed an astonishing amount of solid waste hidden beneath the tranquil waters. The two-day cleanup marked the beginning of the group's \"We Dive We Clean\" campaign, which has now completed its 186th mission over 13 years of underwater environmental work across Greece.\n\nThe divers retrieved nearly 73 tonnes of waste from the seabed, with the haul including plastic bottles, glass containers, aluminium cans, fishing lines, nets, batteries, various sizes of tyres, rugs, and numerous plastic items. The divers also found remnants of boats and dinghies, personal belongings that may have fallen overboard, chairs, traffic cones, bicycles, metal objects, and anchors. One of the most striking findings was an almost complete plastic fishing boat.\n\nThe operation is a crucial step in improving harbour conditions, as discarded materials can harm marine life, trap sea creatures, and degrade coastal environments. Founded in 2013, the \"We Dive We Clean\" group has been dedicated to removing solid waste from Greek harbours and coastal areas, showcasing their expertise in lifting objects of various sizes and weights. The group's regular presence has enabled them to document a problem often unseen, namely the accumulation of waste in harbours and coastal locations.\n\nWhile the divers note that many of the recovered items have been in the water for years, this still represents a glimmer of optimism in the face of marine pollution. However, the fact that substantial quantities of objects remain on the seabed underscores the need for ongoing efforts, responsible behaviour, proper waste management, and the elimination of littering in water bodies or along shorelines. The Vathy operation serves as a stark reminder that the fight against marine pollution continues, as even today, large quantities of items remain hidden beneath Greek harbours, out of sight in daily life.",
  "summary": "Volunteer divers have removed almost 73 tonnes of solid waste from Greek seabeds across 13 years.",
  "key_points": [
    "Vathy harbour on Ithaca island holds 73 tonnes of hidden waste",
    "Divers retrieved plastic bottles, glass, metal, tyres, and boats",
    "We Dive We Clean campaign operates 186 missions in 13 years"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The massive accumulation of submerged debris in Vathy demonstrates how hidden marine pollution continues to threaten coastal ecosystems despite the ongoing efforts of dedicated volunteer cleaning organizations.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}