An 82‑year‑old tourist collapsed on a sun lounger at Vouliagmeni Beach on Sunday, September 20, 2024, before 10:00 a.m. A verbal quarrel over a limited number of sun beds erupted between the elder and a 76‑year‑old man, quickly turning physical. The 21‑year‑old woman accompanying the older man also got drawn into the melee.
Emergency crews arrived within minutes, performing CPR on the victim as he lost consciousness. He was air‑lifted by ambulance to Asklepieion hospital in Voula, where doctors worked until 11:00 a.m., but could not revive him.
State broadcaster ERT reported that the 76‑year‑old, later detained, was the main perpetrator, while witnesses said the woman also participated in the altercation. Authorities confirmed that the suspect was arrested on the beach and is now under investigation.
The incident echoes earlier sun‑bed disputes that have rattled Greece’s tourist season, including a German family’s lawsuit over unavailable loungers that yielded a €1,200 settlement. Greek beachgoers, accustomed to vocal disagreements, are shocked by the violence, especially between two elderly men.
Police are conducting a full inquiry into the fight and will decide whether to press charges, while tourism officials warn of stricter crowd control measures on the Athenian Riviera.