CEOs, port masters and ferry crew members are all taking responsibility for the ‘murder’ of disabled Crete man
Attica Group CEO Spyros Paschalis has resigned following the tragic death of 36-year-old Antonis Karyotis at the port of Piraeus earlier this week.
A video that circulated social media and sparked outrage across Greece, showed the man attempt to board the Blue Horizon ferryboat being shoved by crew members and subsequently falling off the ship’s vehicle ramp. Karyotis hit his head on the quay and drowned.
The ship departed and the crew just looked on as Karyotis disappeared under the surface.
The Agios Nikolaos native who had paid for a ticket to board the ship is said to have autism and was reportedly a popular and loved member of the local community.
Antonis Karyotis. Photo: Facebook
In a statement, Attica Group said they have accepted the resignation of the CEO and that there was a violation of internal procedures aboard the ship.
They called it a “tragic accident that resulted in the loss of a young person’s life completely unjustly and in an unimaginable way”.
The Group expressed their “pain” and their “sincere condolences and apologies to the family and friends of the deceased”.
Attica Group also pledged that it will stand by his family “in every way and with all its strength”.
Meanwhile, it was revealed that the group will look to independent consultants to conduct an extended and in-depth investigation to “ensure that our Group’s procedures and protocols are never again violated by anyone”.
“We are also committed that the results of this research will be used for the necessary cuts and changes, at any level and in any way needed,” the statement said.
Paschalis isn’t the only head to roll after the incident, with the port master and another senior coastguard official losing their jobs.
It has been reported by ekathimerini that no port officials were present before the ferry departed, with legal experts pointing out that this should not have happened and goes against proper procedure.
Blue Horizon has been withdrawn from the port after protesters gathered outside the ferry as it arrived to Crete.
The captain and three other crew are facing charges for manslaughter with possible malice, complicity in manslaughter, and dangerous interference in maritime transport.
