×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Thursday
01
Jan 2026
weather symbol
Athens 4°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> Greece

Crete: The incredible survival story of a couple – “He swam for hours in the storm, it’s a miracle he is alive”

Even experienced Coast Guard officers can't believe the couple made it, while people speak of nothing short of a miracle

Newsroom July 26 11:36

The details regarding the two missing people who were found alive and in good health, on the south coast of Heraklion, are shocking.

The 45-year-old man demonstrated enormous mental strength as he managed to swim for hours in the stormy sea, to reach Koudouma Monastery and ask for help for his 39-year-old partner who was left behind in a cave.

Those who helped with the search and rescue operation have been impressed by the positive outcome, given the turbulent sea and difficult weather conditions in the area since Saturday.

The winds and high waves did not stop the 45-year-old Greek from Messara, Crete, who has been living in Germany for the past few years and is working as a helicopter pilot. He found the courage and strength to protect both himself and his 39-year-old German girlfriend. The two of them managed to climb the rocks on Saturday and find shelter in a cave they found on the rocky cliff.

See Also:

JISS: Greece-Israel relations help stabilize the Eastern Mediterranean – Analysis

>Related articles

Everything changes as of today for disciplinary proceedings of public servants: Harassment and refusal of evaluation become offenses

Weather: New Year’s Day with cold and frost across the country, rain and rising temperatures from Friday

New Year’s Day with biting cold: Temperatures to drop to 2°C in Attica, -3°C in Thessaloniki – Where it will snow

On Sunday, the 45-year-old man, given the slightly improved weather conditions, managed to swim in the still stormy waves to Koudouma Monastery nearby, to ask for help while the 39-year-old was left alone in the cave.

The Coast Guard was immediately informed, whose boats proceeded to the rescue operations.

Both survivors were transported by ambulance to the Harakas Health Center, where they underwent the necessary medical examinations. Reportedly, they were both dehydrated.

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

#crete#greece#sea
> More Greece

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

Israel bans access to Gaza for 37 NGOs

January 1, 2026

The legendary Warren Buffett handed over the reins of Berkshire Hathaway after six decades

January 1, 2026

Konstantinos Mitsotakis proposed to Maria Sakkari

January 1, 2026

Why Santa Claus is not “ours”

January 1, 2026

Everything changes as of today for disciplinary proceedings of public servants: Harassment and refusal of evaluation become offenses

January 1, 2026

Weather: New Year’s Day with cold and frost across the country, rain and rising temperatures from Friday

January 1, 2026

Tragedy in Crans-Montana: “A waiter, standing on a colleague’s shoulders, set the bar’s ceiling on fire with a flare,” says an eyewitness

January 1, 2026

With fireworks, drones, and lots of music, Greece welcomed 2026 (videos-photos)

January 1, 2026
All News

> World

Israel bans access to Gaza for 37 NGOs

The decision concerns NGOs that did not submit the list of their employees to the Israeli authorities

January 1, 2026

Tragedy in Crans-Montana: “A waiter, standing on a colleague’s shoulders, set the bar’s ceiling on fire with a flare,” says an eyewitness

January 1, 2026

The planet welcomes 2026: Spectacular fireworks show in Sydney and Dubai — watch videos and photos

December 31, 2025

Protests continue for a fourth day in Iran, attack on government building

December 31, 2025

Poland: Vehicles formed kilometer-long queues on a highway due to heavy snowfall

December 31, 2025
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα