Four swimmers were rescued Friday after being pulled out to sea by powerful currents near the Rio-Antirrio strait in wes...

Four swimmers were rescued Friday after being pulled out to sea by powerful currents near the Rio-Antirrio strait in western Greece. The area is well known for its exceptionally strong and dangerous underwater currents, and the four were unable to make it back to shore on their own. The swimmers began shouting for help after being dragged into deeper water. A ferry operating the Rio-Antirrio route responded immediately, turning toward them, lowering its bow ramp, and pulling two of the four directly aboard. The other two had been swept further from shore and required a separate rescue. A coast guard rescue boat, which had already been alerted, located and recovered them. All four swimmers were brought to safety and are reported to be in good health. The Rio-Antirrio crossing connects the Peloponnese to central Greece and sits near the Charilaos Trikoupis Bridge. The narrow channel there funnels strong currents that can overwhelm even experienced swimmers, and rescue operations in the area are not uncommon during the summer months. The speed of the response, with the ferry crew acting before official responders even arrived, likely made a critical difference in the outcome. Coast guard authorities confirmed all four were accounted for and uninjured by the time the operation concluded Friday. #Greece #RioAntirrio #Rescue