Karpathos Port Authority bans swimming at Ardani after old munitions found in sea

Discovery of old munitions

Objects estimated to be old munitions were spotted in the sea area of Ardani on the island of Karpathos, prompting the local Port Authority to act on 9 August 2026. According to information reported by APE-MPE, the assessment is that the objects are old munitions, though the exact type or origin has not been specified in the announcements. The Port Authority immediately delimited the area and imposed restrictions for safety reasons.

Scope of the ban

The Port Authority of Karpathos announced a ban on taking sea baths, remaining on the beach, and the circulation and anchoring of vessels and recreational watercraft in the designated zone. Any other activity in the specific sea area is also prohibited. The restriction covers a 100-metre radius around a specific point in the Ardani sea area, which has been delimited by the Port Authority. The exact coordinates were published as latitude 35.481500 and longitude 27.220833.

Duration and enforcement

The measure will remain in effect until further notice, and citizens and vessel operators are urged not to approach the delimited area. Violators of the ban are subject to the penalties provided under Article 157 of the Public Maritime Law Code, which was ratified by N.D. 187/1973 (A' 261), as amended and in force. The Port Authority circulated photographic material showing the delimited perimeter of the restricted zone.

Local impact

Karpathos is a popular island in the Dodecanese, and the Ardani area is part of its coastal zone. The ban affects a relatively limited but specific stretch of sea and shoreline. No information has been released in the source reports about when the munitions might be removed or when the restriction could be lifted. The Port Authority's announcement was carried by multiple Greek outlets on the morning of 9 August 2026, all reporting the same details from the official statement and APE-MPE.