World famous Sarakiniko beach on the island of Milos turned into a construction site and has residents to go furious into the prospect that the unique landscape with its volcanic rock formations that are protected by NATURA will be the ground for a luxury hotel.

The beach on the north shore of Milos is known for its spectacular greyish-white volcanic rock formations, which visitors compare to a moon-landscape.

The bone-white beach derives its unusual characteristics from the erosion of the volcanic rock by the wind and waves. Sarakiniko is one of the most photographed landscapes in the Aegean

The Mayor of the island said he had no idea about the 5-star project and insisted that the Municipality never gave a permit.

The issue had to be made public and photographs of the construction works had to be published, in order for the Ministry of Environment and Energy to issue an order to stop the works.

Speaking to Mega TV, mayor Manolis Mikelis claimed that the projects has most probably received several permits from different public organizations including the Greek National Tourism Organization.

The issue had to be made public and photographs of the works had to be published, in order for the Ministry of Environment and Energy to issue an order to stop the works.

“Another permit has been issued for the other side of the stream, as I was informed last night, and there are others. There may be three or four in the coming days,” the mayor stressed.

“In order to get a permit, one must obtain studies and approvals from certain services to come to the Urban Planning Department of Milos. If it has all the approvals, the Urban Planning Department of Milos gives the OK, which checks the permits, not whether they are correct or not,” Mikelis added.

He pointed out that issuing permits is the responsibility of an engineer.

“Who issued the suitability permit and the environmental permit for Sarakiniko? The Greek National Tourism Organization gave these,” the mayor stressed.

He emphasized that the work on the famous beach had begun in just 10 days.

He revealed that he has been receiving threats, stressing that he is not going to change his stance on the matter.

The bone-white beach was formed from volcano eruption 1.8 million years ago and derives its unusual characteristics from the erosion of the volcanic rock by the wind and waves.

Sarakiniko is one of the most photographed landscapes in the Aegean Sea.