Armed Greek Reservists Training on Crete Causes Tourist Alarm

Tuesday, 19 May 2026/Source: Google News/1 min read

A group of Greek National Guard reservists carrying military weapons were spotted along the BOAK highway in Crete, causing alarm among tourists who witnessed the scene. The men were conducting routine reserve training exercises, which are a normal part of Greece's mandatory military service system. While the sight of armed individuals on a major road can be startling for visitors unfamiliar with Greek military practices, there was no threat to public safety. The BOAK is Crete's main east-west highway connecting Heraklion to the island's eastern regions. Tourists driving this route may occasionally encounter reserve training activities in the area. If you see uniformed personnel with weapons near roadsides in Crete, remain calm as these are typically authorized military exercises conducted under official supervision.