A protest over the treatment of donkeys used to carry tourists around Santorini descended into violence when a female animal rights activist was allegedly struck by one of the handlers.
The German activist was taking part in a demonstration organised by PETA at the Karavolades steps on Friday morning when tensions between the protesters and donkey handlers escalated.
Woman Allegedly Hit and Pushed Against Wall
Video footage from the confrontation appears to show the woman walking away from a man carrying a stick before he raises his arm and allegedly strikes her in the face.
The man then appears to push the activist against a wall before she screams and falls onto the paved steps.
Other members of the protest group can be heard shouting, “Don’t touch her!”
The woman was later seen sitting on the steps in distress, crying and covering her face as people nearby moved towards her to offer assistance.
Donkey Handlers Accused of Confronting Protesters
Separate footage recorded shortly before the alleged assault appears to show several donkey handlers surrounding the activists and objecting to them taking photographs.
One man appears to knock a camera from an activist’s hands, while another is seen holding a stick and ordering the group to leave. He also threatens to contact the police.
PETA Germany said the confrontation became increasingly aggressive, claiming the handlers destroyed protest signs and attempted to stop the activists from recording what was happening.
PETA Condemns Alleged Assault
According to a statement from PETA Germany, the activists were allegedly “roughly grabbed,” insulted and forced down the steps during the confrontation.
The organisation also alleged that some of the women were pushed against a wall and that one activist was punched in the face.
PETA said its members had travelled to the popular Greek island to draw attention to what it considers the exploitation of donkeys as “tourist taxis.”
The organisation said it intends to file criminal complaints over the alleged attacks and has appealed to tourists who witnessed the incident to come forward with information.
Protest Targeted Traditional Donkey Rides
The activists were demonstrating against the long-standing practice of using donkeys to transport visitors between the port and the town of Fira.
As part of their protest, the group planned to demonstrate an alternative way of tackling the steep route by using robotic leg devices known as exoskeletons.
The Karavolades route consists of more than 500 steep, cobbled steps leading from the port towards Fira, making it one of the island’s most recognisable tourist routes.
Donkeys Face Demands in Extreme Conditions
For decades, donkeys and mules have repeatedly travelled the route carrying visitors up and down the cliffside steps.
Animal welfare campaigners have long criticised the practice, particularly when the animals are required to work in high temperatures.
Concerns have also been raised over exhaustion, spinal injuries and saddle sores.
Photographs and videos showing heavily built tourists riding the animals have further intensified criticism from animal rights groups and some visitors to the island.
Cable Car Changed but Did Not End the Practice
The introduction of Santorini’s five-cabin cable car reduced the number of tourists relying on donkeys to reach the town.
However, the animals remained part of the island’s tourism industry as Santorini grew into a major international holiday destination.
The volcanic island can receive thousands of cruise passengers in a single day, creating continued demand for donkey rides despite years of criticism.
Animals Continue to Carry Tourists Up the Steps
Donkeys and mules are typically led in lines along the narrow route, with groups sometimes numbering between two and ten animals.
After carrying passengers towards the summit, they are taken to a designated “donkey station” before being sent back down for another journey.
The narrow path can also become difficult for pedestrians, with animals and tourists competing for limited space and sometimes coming close to walls overlooking steep drops.
Calls for a Ban Have Continued
The treatment of working donkeys in Santorini has generated repeated controversy among animal welfare organisations, tourists and campaigners.
Thousands of people have signed petitions calling for tourist donkey rides to be prohibited, while the issue continues to divide opinion over animal welfare, tourism and the island’s traditional practices.
The alleged attack on the German activist has now brought renewed attention to the longstanding dispute at one of Santorini’s busiest tourist attractions.
