Samaria Gorge closure dispute between OFYPEKA and Chania Vice Governor

The Organization for Natural Environment and Climate Change (OFYPEKA) announced the closure of the Samaria Gorge in Crete, citing meteorological data that exceeded the limits set for safe operation. The agency referenced a midday forecast from the National Meteorological Service as the basis for its decision.

Nikos Kalogeras, Vice Governor of the Chania regional unit, publicly challenged the closure, arguing that OFYPEKA should not invoke the Chania anti‑regional authority when making such decisions. He noted that other gorges in Crete with similar weather conditions remain open despite limited staffing. Kalogeras also pointed out that the emergency response plan governing the gorge’s operation was approved by the municipalities of Sfakia and Platanias but not by the Region of Crete, questioning OFYPEKA’s legal basis for the closure. He called for a meeting to revise the operating terms and achieve a more rational management approach for the Samaria Gorge.