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A special committee has been established to investigate the Aug. 7 landing of a private helicopter at the iconic Sarakiniko site, one of the most recognizable coastal landscapes on the island of Milos, where many swimmers were present at the time.

The helicopter, registered as SX-HMT, landed on the white-rock formations at Sarakiniko, prompting concerns over the safety of the landing and whether the flight complied with civil aviation rules. The pilot submitted a report to Greece’s Civil Aviation Authority on Wednesday, after which the committee was formed.

Members of the committee will collect evidence, establish the circumstances surrounding the landing and assess whether the flight complied with applicable aviation rules. It will also examine whether the required flight-plan procedures were followed and whether the helicopter was permitted to land outside a licensed heliport under the rules governing such operations.

Once its work is completed, the committee will submit its findings to the Civil Aviation Authority and recommend any further action.

The incident has renewed attention on Sarakiniko, which has faced a series of safety and environmental concerns in recent years.

In June, a tourist narrowly escaped being swept into the sea by strong waves after jumping from the rocks, while two visitors from Vietnam drowned at the site in August 2025. This year, lifeguards have been stationed at Sarakiniko during the main summer period.

Sarakiniko is located on the northern coast of Milos, in the Cyclades chain, and is known for its smooth, bright-white volcanic rock formations, which have been shaped by wind and waves and are widely compared to a lunar landscape. The area has become one of the island’s most photographed sites and a major tourist attraction. The site’s distinctive landscape is the result of Milos’ volcanic geology, with the soft rock having been extensively eroded over time.

Sarakiniko’s environmental sensitivity has also been the subject of growing public and official attention.

In April, construction activity in Sarakiniko and nearby Mytakas was suspended through the end of 2026 as part of measures aimed at protecting Milos’ distinctive volcanic landscapes while new spatial-planning rules are prepared. The move followed controversy over a proposed five-star hotel near the beach and concerns that development could cause irreversible damage to the island’s natural character.