In a shocking turn of events, gunfire broke out on Friday night at a crowded beach bar in the idyllic village of Hanioti, located in Greece’s renowned Chalkidiki region. The incident occurred in a venue bustling with both locals and tourists, transforming what should have been a typical summer evening into a night of chaos and fear. The beach bar, situated in one of Greece’s most sought-after tourist destinations, quickly became the scene of a violent confrontation that left three people critically injured.
According to reports, all three injured individuals were Bulgarian nationals, who were likely vacationing in Chalkidiki, a region that attracts thousands of tourists each summer. The injured were swiftly transported to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention. The local news website, Thestival, first broke the news, revealing that the nature of the injuries was severe, with one victim suffering critical chest wounds from the gunfire.
The incident has shocked both locals and the international community, as Chalkidiki is typically known as a safe and tranquil destination. This region, especially popular among visitors from Balkan and Central European countries, is celebrated for its scenic beauty and easy accessibility, making it a favoured spot for those looking to enjoy a quintessential Greek summer. The presence of gun violence in such a location is a rare and disturbing event, with no official statement yet released by the local police.
Eyewitnesses and first responders have described the aftermath of the shooting in harrowing detail. Ioannis Kolokythas, a local volunteer first responder, took to social media to share his experience of the night. Kolokythas, who arrived at the scene within minutes of being alerted, described how he immediately attended to the most critically injured man who had suffered a gunshot wound to his chest. His detailed account, including graphic images of the incident, highlights the severity of the situation and the chaotic scenes that followed as panicked customers fled the beach bar.
The injured individuals were initially treated at the Kassandreia Health Centre; however, due to the gravity of his injuries, the man with chest wounds was transferred to the General Hospital in Polygyros, the capital of Chalkidiki. Local media reports that five individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident, with three of them currently receiving medical treatment at the same hospital.
