Shocking details are coming to light regarding the tragic death of a 20-year-old Greek sailor, who was found unconscious, trapped in a watertight sliding door on the Blue Star Chios, which was approaching the Port of Piraeus. The ship was operating the Rhodes-Piraeus route and the tragic incident occurred on Wednesday morning (24/9).
Read: 20-year-old sailor: 24-hour strike on Blue Star Chios following his death
Port of Piraeus: 20-year-old sailor crushed by watertight door on Blue Star Chios
According to the report by Vasilis Venizelos for parapolitika.gr, the unfortunate young man, who was an engine cleaner, was crushed by a watertight door during work on the ship, specifically in the engine room. The victim was transported unconscious, in extremely critical condition, by an ambulance from the National Emergency Center (EKAB), which rushed to the scene, to Tzaneio Hospital in Piraeus, where he ultimately died.
Port authorities are conducting a preliminary investigation into the exact circumstances of the accident, while the competent prosecutor has also been notified.
Blue Star Ferries statement
In its announcement, Blue Star Ferries states regarding the incident:
«This morning at 8:00 on the Blue Star Chios, which was operating the Rhodes – Piraeus route, a ship’s sailor was found – unconscious – trapped in a watertight sliding door. The ship’s crew immediately proceeded with the rescue and provided first aid. Immediately after the ship’s arrival at the port of Piraeus at 09:15, the sailor was taken by an EKAB ambulance for transport to hospital where his death was confirmed.
The Blue Star family is shocked and expresses its support to the sailor’s relatives.The company is cooperating with the competent authorities to investigate the circumstances of the tragic incident».
24-hour strike on Blue Star Chios following 20-year-old sailor’s death
Following the fatal injury of the 20-year-old sailor, the Panhellenic Union of Merchant Marine Engineers (PEMEN) and the Panhellenic Union of Lower Engine Crew E.N. «STEPHENSON» declared a twenty-four-hour strike on the passenger-vehicle ferry Blue Star Chios, from 11:00 today, Wednesday (24/9) until 11:00 tomorrow, Thursday (25/9).
The full announcement:
«NO more industrial crimes at the altar of profit.
20-year-old engine apprentice crushed in the watertight door of the engine room.
Decision for 24-hour strike on the ship “NISOS CHIOS”.
Another workplace accident (crime) occurred this morning at the port of Piraeus on the ferry “NISOS CHIOS”.
The 20-year-old lost his life in the watertight door connecting the garage to the engine room.
This new accident continues hundreds of accidents (crimes) in the employer’s galleys that our country’s working class pays a heavy price for. It continues the corresponding accident that occurred in Patras on the ramp of the ship “CLAUDIA” of the same company where a 47-year-old female maritime worker lost her life because safety rules were not followed during vehicle unloading in the ship’s garage.
This new tragic accident on a passenger ship brings to the fore our repeated complaints about inadequate protection measures for maritime workers as well as insufficient controls by the competent authorities and services of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs.
The responsibilities of shipping companies for maritime worker accidents are extremely serious to criminal. We demand that the causes of this new accident that led to the loss of a young maritime worker’s life be investigated and that responsibilities finally be assigned to the moral and physical perpetrators.
PENEN declares a 24-hour strike on the ship “NISOS CHIOS” demanding that substantial measures be taken for the protection and safety of crews and ships.
The Management
P.S. We express our warm condolences to the family of the 20-year-old sailor».
