Two Italian Tourists Hurt by Plane Engine Blast at Greek Airport

Two Italian tourists were seriously injured at Skiathos airport in Greece after being thrown to the ground by the powerful exhaust produced by a departing aircraft's engines.

Skiathos, a small Greek island popular with holidaymakers, is well known for a runway that runs unusually close to a public road and a beach, allowing spectators to watch planes take off from just a few metres away.

The two women were reportedly standing in this area, popular with so-called "plane spotters", when a departing aircraft accelerated for take-off. The resulting jet blast — the strong current of hot air expelled by the engines — knocked both women to the ground.

One of the tourists is understood to be in serious condition following the incident, though further medical details have not been released. The second woman was also injured, but the severity of her condition remains unclear.

This is not the first time visitors to Skiathos have been affected by the airport's unusually close proximity to public spaces. The location has gained something of a reputation online among aviation enthusiasts who travel specifically to witness take-offs at close range.

The incident has once again drawn attention to the safety risks associated with allowing tourists to gather so near an active runway. While the spectacle of low-flying aircraft has made Skiathos a minor tourist attraction in its own right, safety experts have long warned that jet blast can cause serious injury, or even prove fatal, at close distances.

No official statement has yet been issued by authorities regarding whether new restrictions will be introduced to prevent tourists from standing so close to the runway in future.

Details about the specific flight or airline involved in the incident have not been confirmed.