Elderly Man Dies Following Beach Brawl Over Sun Lounger in Greece

An 82-year-old man has died after a brawl over a sun bed on a beach in Greece, according to reports. The elderly man arrived at Vouliagmeni beach, near Athens, before 10 a.m. on Sunday hoping to secure a lounger, but he soon began arguing with another man, aged 76. When it became clear there were not enough beds, the argument escalated into a violent fight, with the younger man allegedly hitting the victim, who then suffered a heart attack, according to TA NEA. Other beachgoers rushed to the scene upon hearing loud screams, and police were called. Emergency services were unable to revive the victim, who was taken to Asklepieion Hospital in Voula, where he died an hour later. Police have launched an investigation into the incident and are interviewing several witnesses who were present at the beach. A witness described the scene as chaotic, stating, "I had never heard the woman's screams before. They were heard all the way to the other end." Another witness noted that despite typical tensions over the availability of loungers, they had never seen anything like this before. A beachgoer told In.gr that the disagreement escalated when the older man allegedly slapped a 21-year-old woman accompanying the second man. It was reported by ERT, the country’s state broadcaster, that individuals with the assailant also participated in the altercation. Police arrested the 76-year-old man, while the 21-year-old woman was later released. The man has been charged with causing fatal bodily harm and is expected to appear in court later today, according to Kathimerini newspaper. The two groups involved are not believed to have known each other. As tourism has increased in Greece, reports of disputes over loungers and umbrellas have also risen. Since 2024, authorities have been using drones and a complaints app to address illegal sunbeds placed by private businesses that often exceed their permit limits. Additionally, Greece’s financial and environmental ministries announced in April that they are increasing the number of “untouched beaches” to 250, where loungers, loud music, and watersports will be banned to protect natural beauty.