Authorities in Polygyros, Halkidiki, northern Greece, removed umbrellas, loungers and other structures from a beach Tuesday as part of an effort to restore free access to public shoreline areas.
The operation took place at Kalyves beach, where municipal crews removed a large number of umbrellas and other equipment that had been installed without the required permits.
Umbrellas fixed with iron and concrete
According to Greece’s public broadcaster ERT, some of the umbrellas had been permanently secured to the ground, making their removal particularly difficult.
One umbrella had been fixed in place with iron, while another had been embedded in concrete, significantly complicating the municipal crews’ efforts to remove them.
The operation also cleared other unauthorized structures and equipment, including loungers, tables and chairs that had been placed in the area without permission.
The municipality said the intervention was aimed at freeing up public space along the beach.
Earlier operation in Gerakini
The latest operation came just days after the Municipality of Polygyros carried out a similar intervention at Gerakini beach.
Approximately 100 umbrellas and loungers were removed there because they were restricting bathers’ free access to the beach.
The interventions are part of the municipal authorities’ efforts to address the illegal and permanent occupation of sections of the shoreline by private individuals.
