Fight breaks out over loungers

An eighty-two-year-old man arrived at Vouliagmeni beach, about twelve miles south of Athens, before ten am on Sunday to secure a sunbed. He soon argued with a seventy-six-year-old man unknown to him when loungers proved in short supply.

Argument turns into violent scuffle

The row quickly degenerated into a scuffle as others reportedly joined in. The victim, who was with his wife, is believed to have suffered cardiac arrest during the fight.

Man transferred to hospital

The eighty-two-year-old was seriously injured and transferred by ambulance to Asklepieion hospital in Voula. Despite doctors' efforts, he succumbed to his wounds at about eleven am.

Incident described as unprecedented

A source said the fight was unprecedented. In Greece disagreement is expressed vocally with screaming and shouting, not in fistfights like this, especially between two elderly men.

“In Greece disagreement is expressed vocally, with a lot of screaming and shouting, not in fistfights like this, especially between two elderly men.”

Tensions blamed on cost of living

Greece is undergoing a severe cost of living crisis that has heightened tensions and strained social relations. An increase in domestic violence and other disputes has been partly blamed on pressures of everyday life.

Arrests made, investigation continues

Police arrested the seventy-six-year-old man, a twenty-one-year-old woman who was with him, and the beach resort's manager for questioning. All those involved will appear before a magistrate.