Samaria Gorge Set to Reopen After Tragedy

The news in Greek

1. φαράγγι (n.)
   Στενός και βαθύς διάδρομος μεταξύ δύο βουνών. ↩︎
2. κατολίσθηση (f.)
   Η πτώση εδάφους ή βράχων από πλαγιά. ↩︎
3. έλεγχος (m.)
   Διερεύνηση ή επιτήρηση για να διαπιστωθεί αν όλα είναι σωστά. ↩︎
4. ασφαλής
   Αυτό που δεν έχει κινδύνο. ↩︎
5. περιορισμός (m.)
   Σύνολο κανόνων που περιορίζουν κάτι. ↩︎
6. κατάλληλος
   Αυτό που είναι το πιο ταιριαστό για μία συγκεκριμένη κατάσταση. ↩︎

Translation

Text Comprehension

Question: What happened to the Samaria Gorge before it reopened?

Question: What are some of the safety measures mentioned in the summary for visiting Samaria Gorge?

Vocabulary

Greek	English
φαράγγι (n.)	gorge
κατολίσθηση (f.)	landslide
έλεγχος (m.)	inspections
ασφαλής	safe
περιορισμός (m.)	limitation
κατάλληλος	appropriate

Read the full story

The Samaria Gorge in Greece is scheduled to reopen on Saturday following a temporary closure caused by a fatal accident. The site closed after the tragic death of a tourist due to a rockfall, which prompted swift action from local authorities to ensure visitor safety.

The decision to reopen the gorge was announced after a series of precise inspections and consultations. The Organisation for Natural Environment and Climate Change (OFYPEKA) coordinated a meeting with experts from the Hellenic Authority for Geological and Mineral Research and the University of Athens’ Department of Geology. These specialists conducted thorough evaluations to determine the current safety conditions within the national park.

Reports indicate that the risk of landslides presently aligns with levels from prior to the incident on the 18th of September. Thus, the gorge is considered safe to welcome visitors once more, though with certain adjustments to enhance precautionary measures. As a short-term response, trail cleaning and restoration have been completed, and informative signs have been installed at entrance points.

For the initial week following its reopening, the gorge will limit the number of visitors to 1,000 daily to manage foot traffic and ensure safety. Additionally, it has been arranged that organised tour groups will gain entry through electronic ticketing only, which can be processed via the designated online platform, samaria-tickets.necca.gov.gr.

Moreover, the implementation of further long-term interventions is on the agenda. These steps aim to reduce the risk of future rockfalls. Continuous updates at high-risk locations will be provided by trained personnel, and there is a commitment to collaborate with the Hellenic National Meteorological Service for specialised weather forecasts specific to the gorge. Plans also include a risk management project developed in conjunction with the University of Athens.

Visitors are reminded to adhere strictly to park regulations, including wearing protective gear like helmets and appropriate footwear, maintaining safe distances, and following guidance from park staff. The aim is not only to prevent mishaps but also to preserve the gorge’s natural beauty for future explorers.

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