- Hundreds of tourists have had to cross the sea at Balos beach in Crete
- The lagoon is famous on the Greek island for being an area of extraordinary beauty.
- Have you travelled as a passenger on these ships? Please email fran.wolfisz@dailymail.co.uk
Terrified tourists are forced to disembark from the ferry and wade slowly into the sea in neck-deep water to reach a spot of natural beauty in Crete.
According to local media, authorities have banned the use of a floating platform in Balos, which would allow passengers to disembark much more safely, due to fears of an excessive influx of tourists.
The lagoon is famous in Crete for its pristine white sand and exotic turquoise waters and is home to rare animals and plants that have protected status, including Eleanora falcons, monk seals and loggerhead turtles.
Images appearing on social media show a crowd of tourists forced to change into their bathing suits, disembark through the ferry hatch and lift their belongings over their heads as they navigate the deep waters to reach their destination.
A rope has been placed between the beach and the ferry landing as a way to guide tourists.
Hundreds of terrified tourists are forced to disembark from their ferry into the sea and wade slowly through neck-deep water to reach a natural beauty spot in Balos, Crete.
Passengers can be seen disembarking from the ferry’s hatch and making their way through the water.
Some can be heard laughing nervously at the situation and, according to witnesses, many are too scared to even attempt the task.
Children and the elderly have also been forced to remain on the ship because the journey is considered too dangerous for them.
According news from the sailOne American tourist said it was an “unacceptable situation” for most passengers on board the ferries, which can carry up to 900 people.
The tourist said: ‘Most people stayed on the boat out of fear.
“Only about 40 people came down and they all came back angry and disappointed.”
According to the Greek media en.grThe Ministry of Maritime Transport and Island Policy imposed the ban to protect the beach from excessive tourism.
However, after seeing the images, they have reversed that decision and a floating platform is expected to reopen shortly, in.gr reports.
According to the research site StatesmanIn 2023, Crete welcomed more than 800,000 visitors from the UK, the second highest figure after Germany, which sent 1.2 million tourists to the Greek island.
Some people can be heard laughing nervously at the situation in the footage, but witnesses say many passengers are too scared to attempt the task.
Balos Lagoon is famous in Crete for its pristine white sand and exotic turquoise waters and is home to rare animals and plants that have protected status.