Two high-level officers of the Piraeus Port Authority and another four officer are to be subject of “disciplinary investigation” over the tragic and forceful death of 36-year-old Antonis, a ferry passenger.
The officers were removed by order of Shipping and Island Policy Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis on Thursday. Removed are the head of the port authority in the biggest port of the country as well as the head of the “First Department.” At the same time, disciplinary investigation has been ordered for another four port authority officers.
The measures comes a day after the Minister claimed that the Port Authority had nothing to do with the death of a 36-year-old Antonis who was killed when he was pushed off the ramp of ferry “Blue Horizon” by crew members on Tuesday night.
This statement was the minister’s second faux pas in 24 hours after Antonis’ murder. On Wednesday morning he had put in the same equitation the victim and the perpetrators saying ” mourning for the victim and those who go everyday to work for their daily wage.”
The Minister had to apologize allegedly after pressure of the Prime Minister and to proceed to removal of the port authority officials after the second faux pas.
It should be recalled that at least one officer of the port authority has to be present when a vessel departs or arrives.
Antonis a passenger to Heraklio, Crete, tried to get onboard when he was pushed off the loading ramp by a crew member, fell in the sea and drown in the vortex as he did not know swimming and the ferry was departing as if nothing had happened. The crew was standing there watching and without offering any help.
The murder in cold blood that was captured by several videos, led to the arrest of three crew members and the captain of the “Blue Horizon.”
In addition, the death led to the resignation of the CEO of Attica Group, the company operating the ferry.
After an autopsy, the body of Antonis traveled to his home town Agios Nikolaos on the island of Crete late on Thursday and was laid to rest on Friday.
The murder has triggered an outrage in the country with several protests to have taken place in Heraklio, Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras.
Meanwhile, the Panhellenic Seamen Union will launch a 24-hour strike on Wednesday, September 13.