A British tourist is in critical condition after being struck by a falling rock at the Nydri waterfalls in Lefkada, Greece. The 50-year-old woman was hit on the head when a rock fragment broke loose from the famed waterfall, local reports state.
Firefighters responded to the scene and carried the woman on an orange stretcher down the steep, rocky cliff face. She was subsequently transported to a hospital where she underwent surgery and had a breathing tube fitted. She is expected to be transferred to a specialized trauma center in Athens.
Several other tourists at the popular site sustained minor injuries from smaller stones that fell during the incident. The cause of the rockfall, whether a natural collapse or due to ignored warning signs, remains unknown.
Nydri Falls, an approximately 39-foot-tall waterfall, is known for its lush surroundings and canyon lagoon and attracts thousands of visitors each summer. Access to the falls involves a short but challenging hike along rugged, uneven paths through a narrow gorge.
This incident follows a fatal rockfall in Malta last week, where a tourist was killed by the collapse of the 'Kissing Elephants' arch rock formation. The 26-year-old Chinese man died when large rocks fell onto his jet ski as he rode beneath the arch. A 27-year-old Chinese woman on the same jet ski suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries. An American tourist who had jumped off the arch shortly before its collapse was rescued by a passing boat and received medical attention but did not require hospitalization.
A Maltese magistrate has opened an inquiry into the Malta incident as authorities work to recover the deceased's body. Investigations into the tragedy are ongoing.