A matter of life and death
The deadly accident on the Saronic island of Aegina Tuesday (when four people, including a 5-year-old girl, were killed and at least five were injured after a boat with about 20 people on board collided with a speedboat) was not just an unfortunate incident, a phrase so often used in this country.
The uncomfortable truth is that such incidents happen almost every year in Greece.
The relaxed pace of the summer season should by no means be allowed to become an excuse for less-than-strict enforcement of safety regulations along the country’s extensive coastline – especially at tourist resorts, which are usually busier than elsewhere.
Authorities must live up to their obligations and commitments and ensure the enforcement of safety, health and environmental regulations. Abiding by the rules, as Tuesday's incident so tragically demonstrates, is after all a matter of life and death.
