Santorini: PETA alleges attack on female activists

The international animal rights organisation PETA Germany alleges that three of its activists were attacked by donkey drivers on Santorini on the morning of Friday 4 September 2026, on the Karavolades steps, a route of more than 500 stairs connecting the old port to Fira. According to the complaint, the women were filming and preparing for a protest action when, as the organisation claims, men destroyed their banners, hurled insults at them and used physical force against them. PETA reports that they were grabbed, pushed down the stairs, pressed against a wall and one of them was struck in the face. The organisation released video footage of the incident, which it presents as evidence of its allegations, though it does not name any of those involved.

PETA states that it intends to file a criminal complaint against the donkey drivers and is calling for any eyewitness to contact it. The protest concerned the use of donkeys and mules for transporting tourists on the steps, despite the fact that a cable car has operated in the area for decades. As an alternative, the activists were planning to present robotic exoskeletons for leg support, technology which, according to the organisation, has already been piloted in China, where visitors rented such equipment for climbing Mount Tai, which has more than 7,000 steps. PETA Germany has proposed, in letters to the mayor and the head of Fira Port Authority, to finance the purchase of such exoskeletons itself if tourist rides with animals stop. The organisation notes that since 2018 it has repeatedly complained about the living conditions of animals on the island, citing skin abrasions and wounds from unsuitable saddles, as well as lack of water and shade. “We are asking for a humane alternative,” the organisation said regarding its proposal for the exoskeletons.

The alleged incident reignites a debate that has divided Santorini and broader Cyclades for years: the role of transport animals in island tourism economies. The Karavolades steps remain a popular choice for some visitors, even though the cable car covers the same route and has done for decades, offering a quick alternative. Animal welfare organisations have repeatedly called for restrictions on the use of donkeys and mules, citing animal welfare reasons, while donkey drivers and parts of the local business community view the tradition as part of the island’s economic and professional life. The complaint comes during peak tourist season, when thousands of visitors pass daily from the old port to Fira, and is expected to reignite questions about whether and how established practices can change without harming local employment.

As of publication, it was not possible to reach donkey drivers or any association representing them for comment on the complaint. Neither the Municipality of Thira nor Fira Port Authority have issued an official statement, and no police source has confirmed the incident to date. It is also not known whether a complaint has already been filed, as PETA refers to intent to take legal action without specifying a timeline. The article will be updated if official statements are received from the competent authorities or from the donkey drivers.