×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Monday
19
Jan 2026
weather symbol
Athens 6°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

Marinakis: The four contracts for hydrocarbons have been approved, aiming to start exploration in 2026

Karystianou: Abortions a matter of public consultation – I speak with people from all parties

Farmers arrive at the Maximos Mansion for the meeting with PM Mitsotakis

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

Opinion Poll: New Democracy Rises to 30.2%, Leading by 16.8 Points — Karystianou draws from Hellenic Solution, Niki, SYRIZA, and Plevsi

January 19, 2026

Princess Irene was buried at Tatoi in a private family ceremony – Queen Sofia was devastated

January 19, 2026

The Italian fashion designer Valentino has died at the age of 93

January 19, 2026

Minor dispute at Maximos Mansion between the President of Kastoria Livestock Association and the Rector of the University of Thessaly regarding goat and sheep pox

January 19, 2026

Stocks climb to 16-year high as markets withstand global liquidations

January 19, 2026

Tatoi Estate: The rescue and restoration of 100,000 historic objects

January 19, 2026

Eurovision 2026: What the betting odds suggest about Greece’s song choice

January 19, 2026

Britain: New defection of a Conservative MP who defected to Farage’s party

January 19, 2026
All News

> Economy

Stocks climb to 16-year high as markets withstand global liquidations

Athens showed that it has "resistors", with banks again at the helm of the rise - Above 2,250 points the General Index - Eurobank broke the "barrier of 4 euros - Eurobank reached 30 euros - GEK TERNA - Explosive rally for ABAX, closed at a high of more than 16 years

January 19, 2026

Greek exports broke records with a record 37 billion euros

January 18, 2026

Where affordable housing falls short in Greece: IOBE proposes a cap on rent increases

January 17, 2026

Greek firms secure key roles in Libya’s reconstruction

January 16, 2026

Latsis Group: This is the new project of Aura Residential’s 219 apartments in Elliniko

January 16, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα