'Unimaginable' ferry death in Greece sparks protests: What you need to know
Video shows a 36-year-old allegedly pushed to his death by crew members while trying to board a ferry seconds before it departed.
WARNING — DISTURBING VIDEO: The tragic death of a ferry passenger in Greece has triggered national outrage after video emerged of the moment he was killed. It appears to show the man being pushed into the water as the ship leaves the port in Piraeus for Crete.
What you need to know
Victim Andonis Kargiotis, 36, was trying to jump back onto the Blue Horizon ferry's loading ramp after stepping off the ship shortly before it was due to depart.
Video footage shows crew members arguing with Kargiotis and pushing him off the ship.
The victim fell between the ramp and the port's edge just as the ferry was departing, vanishing into the water where the ship's huge propellers had started turning.
Witnesses say his lifeless body appeared 10 minutes later and was in the water for 30 minutes before it was pulled out.
The ferry sailed off, before being ordered to return. Four people, the captain and three crew, have been charged over the death.
❗ It’s hard to believe, but…
The entire incident was captured on videos which were shared across social media, leaving many in disbelief over the alleged actions of the crew. Several passengers appear to have witnessed the tragedy.
As soon as Kargiotis falls into the water, it can be seen swirling as the ferry's propellers kick in. The crew appeared to do nothing to help him. The coroner has ruled his cause of death as drowning.
Crew members of the ship #BlueHorizon are seen to push away a 36yo passenger that was late.
That led to the passenger losing his balance, falling in the sea and unfortunately, losing his life.
The incident took place tonight on the #Piraeus port, #Athens. pic.twitter.com/PfXW2uWdhu— Greek City Times (@greekcitytimes) September 5, 2023
Δ Ο Λ Ο Φ Ο Ν Ο Ι#bluestar #antireport pic.twitter.com/fc88aZPRTZ
— V E L O C I T Y 🏴 (@Sacco_69) September 5, 2023
🗣️ What they said
Witness Froso Tetrandonaki to news outlet Neos Kosmos: "They pushed him three or four times before the ship’s gangway was raised."
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis: “[This was] a combination of irresponsible behaviour and cynicism, contempt and indifference. Yesterday’s shameful incident is not indicative of the kind of country we want."
Greek Shipping Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis: "The behaviour of the four detained crew members is criminally and morally reprehensible. It is a vulgar insult to all seamen working in the Greek shipping industry. There is no doubt that the offence is manslaughter.”
Attica Group, operator of the Blue Horizon: “The scenes that we all saw last night are unimaginable, they do not consist with the Group’s values and do not express in the slightest the ethos and professionalism, not only of our crews, but also of the Greek navy as a whole.”
⏭️ So what next?
The death has triggered outrage across Greece, with protesters heading to the scene of the incident as well as the port in Crete, where the ferry was heading, on Wednesday night.
The port authority and government says it is in the midst of a thorough investigation to ensure those responsible are punished appropriately.
Αρκετά μεγάλη κινητοποίηση τώρα στο λιμάνι του Ηρακλείου, μπροστά στο πλοίο των δολοφόνων.#δολοφονια #bluehorizon pic.twitter.com/SNeSjDdUvd
— Ο πρώτος του χωριού ® (@1stinthevillage) September 6, 2023
🗞️ Go deeper...
With AP
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