Lefka-Ori

Court proceedings over the death of 36-year-old Antonis Karyotis, who drowned after being pushed off the 'Blue Horizon', now sailing as 'Lefka Ori', in September 2023, concluded on Feb 27, 2025, after 17 sessions. A verdict was expected later in the day. Karyotis had been attempting to board the ferry as it was about to depart from the port of Piraeus, bound for Iraklio, when he was allegedly pushed by three crew members into the sea. The ship then sailed off, leaving Karyotis to drown in the swirling waters created by the ferry’s propeller. The vessel did not return to port until 40 minutes later, when ordered by the prosecutor. The prosecutor has recommended a guilty verdict for all four defendants – the captain and three crew members –, stating that their actions were inhumane, and emphasized that none of them attempted to help Karyotis, and accused the crew of deliberately pushing him into the water. One crew member faces homicide charges with possible intent, while the others are charged with aiding the crime. The captain is also charged with breaching maritime safety regulations and abuse of power. The trial gained attention thanks to a viral video filmed by passengers, which contradicted the defendants’ attempts to downplay the incident. The video, showing Karyotis being pushed into the sea, played a crucial role in bringing the case to court.

On the morning of Jan 26, the Port Authority of Igoumenitsa was informed that, during the departure of the 'Lefka Ori' from the port of Venice, a mechanical failure was detected. The ship berthed in the port of Igoumenitsa with 88 passengers, 92 trucks, 60 private cars, two trailers and five campers. An inspection was carried out by officers of the Local Inspection Team of the Central Port Authority of Igoumenitsa and then, upon presentation of a certificate of class maintenance from the classification society that monitors it, it was allowed to continue sailing.

The trial into the death of the 36-year-old Antonis Kariotis, who drowned while trying to board the 'Blue Horizon", now sailing as 'Lefka Ori', in Piraeus in Sept 2023 was scheduled to start in the city on Jan 20, 2025, with the ship’s captain and three crew members facing serious charges. The three men are accused of deliberately pushing Kariotis into the swirling water as he ran onto the loading ramp while the ferry was getting ready to leave the port, bound for Iraklio. The ship sailed off in front of dozens of outraged witnesses and it did not return to port until 40 minutes later when ordered to do so by a prosecutor. One of the crew members has been charged with homicide with possible intent and the other two for aiding the crime. The captain, meanwhile, has been charged for breaching shipping regulations.