Corfu, December 8, 2025 – An urgent request for the inspection of trees within and around school facilities has been issued by the Parents’ and Guardians’ Association of Central Corfu. This demand follows a recent incident where large tree trunks from the Prison Grove fell dangerously close to the schoolyard of the complex housing the 12th Primary School and the 1st Special Primary School in Corfu, causing damage to parked cars.
Near Miss at School Complex Raises Alarm
The incident, which took place on Saturday, December 6, 2025, prompted immediate concern from the association. In an official statement, they highlighted the potential catastrophic consequences had the school been in operation at the time. A subsequent visit to the site revealed additional fallen trunks of towering trees on the grove’s slope.
The association emphasized the precarious situation at other schools as well. The yards of the 6th Primary School and the 6th Kindergarten are adjacent to the grove, with trees literally hanging over the schoolyard due to the sloping terrain of the grove. This means children and educators are constantly at risk from falling branches and trunks. A similar incident two years ago at the 6th Primary School saw a tree from the grove fall into the schoolyard, destroying the yard’s shelter. Furthermore, massive trees with a noticeable lean are present within the yards of other schools, such as the 7th Primary School.
Safety Concerns Amidst Aging Trees and Heavy Rainfall
The physical safety of students and educators is reportedly at risk due to the age of the trees, a lack of proper maintenance, and soil erosion caused by extensive rainfall. The Parents’ and Guardians’ Association of Central Corfu, along with the Parents’ and Guardians’ Association of the 6th Kindergarten, and the Parents’ and Guardians’ Associations of the 6th, 7th, and 12th Primary Schools, are demanding immediate action.
They insist on an urgent inspection of the trees in the grove located near schools (6th Primary, 6th Kindergarten, 12th Primary – 1st Special) to prevent potential tragedies. The associations are also calling for inspections of trees within the 7th Primary School and all other schools in the Municipality, requesting written confirmation of the inspection results. This confirmation should detail whether the trees are safe, if pruning or felling is required, and what other actions are necessary to ensure the safety of children and educators. They deem it essential for such inspections to be conducted annually before the start of each school year.
The associations can be contacted at [email protected] for further inquiries.
