Two women suddenly fell to the ground during Easter celebrations in Corfu after they were randomly hit by an enormous jug hurled by the deputy mayor Spyros Halikiopoulo
A video captured the moment two women dropped to the ground after an enormous clay jug fell on top of them as they were walking down the street.
The incident happened during Easter celebrations in Corfu, when the deputy mayor, Spyros Halikiopoulo, hurled the jug out of the window. The two women happened to be walking past at the same time that the official was celebrating the custom called ‘botides’. The tradition sees locals throw the pots filled with water inside from their balconies.
Thousands of people living on the Greek island usually watch on and cheer as they get splashed with water. But over the weekend, two women were injured during the centuries-old tradition as they both walked past the Town Hall.
Footage showed the shocked mayor’s reaction when he realised that the jug had struck the pedestrians. One woman was said to have been hit on the head, whilst the other was struck on the shoulder.
In the background of the video, the crowd could be heard screaming as others ran over to help them. Smashed pieces of clay descended across the floor, which locals reportedly took home for good luck. The tradition is usually carried out to keep away bad spirits. Halikiopoulos reassured the public after the incident and said that injuries from the event are extremely rare, reports Metro.
His office released a statement on his behalf and said: “Although the deputy mayors had taken all the necessary precautions, checking the area in front of the window where they were standing, at the moment the boot fell, two young women drove by at high speed, as a result of which one of them was hit on the head and shoulder.”
The statement added: “This is a rare occurrence, as although during the custom thousands of boots fall (and often from a great height), injuries are rare as everyone pays close attention and thus enjoys the unique moment. On the occasion of the incident, the Deputy Mayor of Sustainable Tourism Development, addressing the public, assures the safety of the custom, but calls everyone’s attention to avoid even these very rare incidents.”