A 52-year-old Italian tourist was seriously injured on the island of Skiathos on Monday after being knocked down by powerful airflow generated by an aircraft’s engines as it took off from the island’s airport, days after an article again highlighted the risks faced by tourists gathering near the runway to watch planes at close range.
The woman suffered serious head injuries, according to Greek state broadcaster ERT. She was taken to the island’s medical center for a CT scan before being airlifted to a hospital in Volos, on the Greek mainland, shortly after 6 p.m. (local time) because of the severity of her injuries.
The incident occurred as renewed attention focused on plane spotting at Skiathos Airport, where dozens of tourists and residents gather each summer at Xanemos Beach next to the runway to watch aircraft land and take off from extremely close range.
The practice has become a popular attraction, with visitors positioning themselves near the runway to photograph and film aircraft. Skiathos Airport’s location and relatively short runway allow planes to pass unusually close to the beach, contributing to its popularity among plane spotters.
Authorities are examining the circumstances of the latest incident, including how the woman came to be exposed to the powerful airflow generated by the aircraft during takeoff.
