Cyclades

Ninety migrants have been evacuated by coast guard from a vessel that was spotted at dawn 10 nautical miles southeast of the Cycladic island of Amorgos.

It is understood that a passenger on the sailboat called the 112 emergency number to say the vessel was in difficulty.

Two coast guard and two private vessels made their way to the location, where force 5 winds were blowing.

One woman was placed under arrest on the island of Tinos for violating regulations on occupying public space on beaches, during raids carried out by the competent authorities the previous day, according to an announcement by the Finance Ministry on Thursday.

When the illustrated travel guide "Mykonos-Delos" from the series "Discover Greece," published by M. Pechlivanidis & Co, was launched in 1958, "tourism, Greek and international, was starting to explore the Cyclades," as highlighted by the observations of author-journalist Vassilis Kazatzis during that era.

Health and ambulance services on the islands are struggling to respond to increased needs with scarce capabilities in August for yet another summer. 

Mykonos, Paros, Santorini, Samos and Chios have just one ambulance operating around the clock and a second operating a few days a month. 

On Greece's popular island of Paros, a protest by residents demanding space and free access to its sandy beaches has led to a growing nationwide movement against the expansion of pricey sunbeds rented out by private companies.

In recent years, we have been mere spectators in a joyless drama. From the decks of ferries and the windows of our hotels to the crowded shores of popular beaches and the tables of upscale nouvelle-cuisine-style tavernas serving ceviche, we watch helplessly as tourism swallows the Cyclades.

Amid fears of imminent inspections and the threat of legal consequences, the idyllic beaches of Plaka, Agia Anna and Agios Prokopios on the Cycladic island of Naxos were emptied of sunbeds and beach furniture. 

The move practically implies that there were either no permits or there were huge violations of the leases.

Prompted by protests on popular Aegean Sea resort islands, dubbed the "beach-towel revolt," the Greek government said it remains firm in upholding the law and refrains from making concessions. Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis emphasized this stance on Skai TV's morning bulletin on Thursday.

Citizens' demonstrations against the state of affairs on the island of Paros are starting to have an impact, as demolition guidelines are being developed and sanctions are being prepared for firms that have engaged in unlawful beach occupations. 

The examples of the islands of Rhodes and Paros, where citizens have risen up against unlawful beach occupation, are rapidly being replicated.

In many parts of Greece, citizens are organizing and seeking ways to get assistance from the central state, as they feel useless at the local level.