Since 1950, the land in Borizia, Heraklion, Crete has been watered with blood. The village in the Municipality of Phaistos is once again experiencing the horror of a vendetta that never died. Saturday’s (1/11/2025) bloody confrontation, with two dead, many wounded, “bullet-riddled” houses and cars terrified even the toughest. Authorities call it the most violent revival of an old feud the island has ever known.
The dead and wounded were transferred to different hospitals and Health Centers to avoid encounters between the feuding families, while strong, elite police forces have rushed to the area. According to information, at least 3 people from one of the involved families are being sought.
Borizia Heraklion: 2,000 bullets and fifteen minutes of terror
On Saturday morning, the streets of Borizia were transformed into a battlefield. Over 2,000 bullets were fired indiscriminately at houses, cars and passersby. The gunfire exchange lasted about fifteen minutes, with the two dead – 39-year-old Fanouris Kargakis and 56-year-old Evangelia Fragiadaki – losing their lives in scenes of absolute chaos.
The 39-year-old, father of five children, was found dead inside his agricultural vehicle, riddled with bullets. The 56-year-old nurse, a widow and mother of two children, was in the village for her father’s memorial service. She was hit by a stray bullet and suffered cardiac arrest.
Who was involved in the Borizia Heraklion massacre
Police officials are trying to piece together the vendetta puzzle to identify the perpetrators who organized and participated in the bloody clash on Saturday morning in Borizia, Crete.
According to information so far, three people were involved in the morning shootout. Specifically, 39-year-old Fanourios Kargakis, who lost his life, a man from the other family and his cousin. The latter two are hospitalized with injuries and are expected to be arrested.
Timeline of the vendetta revival in Borizia Heraklion
Details about the events that led to the massacre in Borizia Heraklion on Saturday morning 01.11.2025 are coming to light, regarding the family vendetta that burned with hatred between them. According to Mega’s report, the vendetta between powerful village families has lasted many years. Despite occasional “truces,” the passions never died. The roots of the new conflict can be traced to a series of events in recent months.
According to information, three families had come into conflict over grazing lands. At a celebration, a derogatory comment triggered tension. One man stabbed another, causing chain reactions. The next day, a member of a third family shot in the square, lightly wounding some villagers – an incident never officially recorded. Attempts by “mediators” from Chania to calm spirits failed. They proposed buying the house that was the bone of contention to prevent new massacre, but shortly after withdrew, and the situation spiraled out of control.
Panic at hospitals
After the massacre in the village, panic also prevailed in the hospitals where the wounded and the two bodies were transferred. The wounded from one family were transferred to Venizelio, while those from the other were taken to PAGNI which opened even though it was not on duty. Relatives of the wounded also arrived at the hospitals demanding new revenge for the massacre, with the Greek Police taking draconian measures to avoid a new cycle of blood in the village.
It’s worth noting that the victim’s mother fainted outside the hospital. Seeing the police, the woman from the dead man’s family reportedly shouted at them: “What did you come now for, bastards, we’ve been calling you for two days and you didn’t come.” However, as police sources report, the forces will remain at hospital premises, as there is fear of new attacks against members of the two families.
EKAM, TAE and OPKE in full deployment in Crete
Crete resembles a militarized zone. Elite police forces, EKAM, TAE and OPKE have “camped” in Borizia, searching door-to-door houses for the detection of perpetrators and weapons. There is information that at least two suspects continue to hide in the village.
Police leadership traveled urgently to Crete. The head of the Hellenic Police Dimitris Malios, together with the commander of the Directorate of Criminological Investigations Fotis Douitsis, chaired a lengthy meeting in Heraklion. The message was clear: “Zero tolerance” – all those involved will be located and brought to justice.
Ghost village Borizia Heraklion and fear of new bloodshed
The village looks deserted. Houses closed, streets empty, police everywhere. Residents don’t speak; omerta lives and reigns. Authorities remain on alert under fear of new retaliation. The dead and wounded have been transferred to different hospitals to avoid new conflict.
Police have taken strict measures for the funerals as well. On Sunday the 39-year-old’s funeral will be held, after first hastily baptizing the three youngest of his five children – as religious tradition dictates. It remains unknown when and where the 56-year-old nurse will be bid farewell.
Suspension of classes in schools
For precautionary reasons, the Municipality of Phaistos decided to suspend the operation of school units on Monday and Tuesday:
- Borizia Kindergarten
- Borizia Elementary School
- Zaros Elementary School
- Zaros Middle School
Police statement on the Borizia vendetta
Early hours today (01-11-2025), the Heraklion Police Directorate was informed by residents of a Heraklion prefecture village in Crete about an armed incident that had occurred earlier.
Special police forces (T.E.K.A.M. – T.A.E. – O.P.K.E.) immediately went to the scene as well as police officers from the Subdirectorate of Crime Investigation and Detection and the Heraklion Police Directorate. The General Regional Police Director of Crete was also present on site, to coordinate the operation.
From the incident, the fatal wounding of two Greek citizens (39-year-old man and 56-year-old woman) was confirmed as well as the wounding of two women, who were transferred to hospital. Subsequently, the wounding of two men was also confirmed, who are hospitalized under guard and their participation in the armed incident is being examined.
Preliminary investigation is being conducted by the Subdirectorate of Crime Investigation and Detection, with the assistance of the Directorate for Combating Organized Crime, while an E.K.A.M. team is also going to the area.
