A school bus carrying children from the 1st Primary School of Agia Marina in Malevizi was left at a dangerous angle Thursday morning after part of the road beneath it gave way following rainfall.
The incident happened at around 7:45 a.m. on a narrow road in the area.
Thankfully, none of the children was injured, although the incident caused considerable panic.
The driver stopped the vehicle, told the children to stay calm and remain in their seats, and contacted the authorities.
Bus Secured with Straps
With the vehicle at risk of moving further toward the roadside slope, emergency crews secured it using straps attached to a nearby olive tree to prevent it from shifting.
Crane trucks were later called to recover and remove the bus.
The incident highlights the risks that can develop quickly on Crete’s narrower roads during periods of heavy rainfall, particularly where roads run alongside slopes or over unstable ground.
A Warning for Visitors Driving in Crete
For tourists exploring Crete by rental car, this is also a useful reminder that the island’s roads can differ greatly from what visitors may be accustomed to at home.
Some rural and mountain roads are narrow, winding and bordered by steep slopes, drainage channels or exposed ground. Heavy rain can add hazards, including standing water, reduced visibility, debris, and localized road damage.
Visitors unfamiliar with Crete’s terrain should take particular care when weather conditions deteriorate.
Slow down, avoid flooded sections, don’t take unnecessary risks on narrow mountain roads, and if conditions become unsafe, turn around rather than pushing through.
A rental car may let you explore the less-touristy parts of Crete. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with local knowledge of which stretch of road is about to disappear.
Essential Safety Tips for Drivers in Crete
- Exercise extreme caution after storms: Avoid narrow agricultural or mountain shortcuts when heavy rains have been pounding the region. Stick to main arterial roads wherever possible.
- Watch for soft shoulders: Torrential water often erodes the earth directly beneath the edges of narrow asphalt roads. Keep well away from unpaved drop-offs and crumbling edges.
- Slow down: Reduced visibility, slick mud, and standing water drastically increase braking distances. Give yourself ample time to react.
- Respect road closures: Never attempt to cross flooded Irish crossings, damaged bridges, or cordoned-off municipal zones, no matter how shallow the water may appear.
Crete’s breathtaking landscapes, winding mountain passes, narrow rural lanes, and coastal cliffs hide infrastructure that can be easily compromised by severe weather.
Source: Fonimaleviziou
