Tourist Knocked Off Her Feet by Jet Engine Blast on Greek Island of Skiathos

A 52-year-old Italian tourist was seriously injured on the Greek island of Skiathos after being caught in the powerful jet blast from an aircraft engine on a beach right next to the local airport's runway. The incident took place on Monday, according to the Greek outlet Kathimerini.

The injured woman was first taken to hospital on the island, but given the severity of her injuries, she was later airlifted by helicopter to a hospital in the mainland city of Volos. The exact circumstances of the incident remain unclear.

A Notoriously Risky Spot for Plane Spotting

Skiathos airport's runway sits right beside the sea, and tourists regularly gather at the fence there to catch a dramatic view of planes taking off and landing. Over the years, the spot has become a magnet for aviation enthusiasts and social media influencers alike.

As the British outlet The Independent points out, watching landings is generally considered fairly safe, but watching takeoffs is far more dangerous — particularly for anyone standing too close to the edge of the runway. The powerful blast of air from a large aircraft's engines can literally knock a person off their feet. Warning signs about this danger are posted at the site.

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Source: novinky.cz