Attica Group CEO resigns after man’s death in Piraeus

Attica Group CEO Spyros Paschalis resigned Thursday in the aftermath of the drowning of Antonis Karyotis, 36, in Piraeus port and the prosecution of four crew members of the Blue Horizon ferryboat for manslaughter with possible malice, complicity in manslaughter, and dangerous interference in maritime transport.

Attica Group said in a statement that an internal inquiry will be conducted with the assistance of independent external consultants to verify that processes and protocols are not violated.

The captain, the first mate, the deck officer and the boatswain had requested a deadline to appear before the Piraeus Prosecutor’s Office on Saturday.

Karyotis was manhandled by crew members as he tried to board the ferry as it was leaving and was shoved into the sea and drowned. The Blue Horizon will now not operate on the Crete route and its place is expected to be taken by the passenger ship Elyros.

At the same time, heads could also roll at the port authority as the evidence suggests none of its officials was present next to the Blue Horizon before its departure.

Legal experts have pointed out that the ferry departed without following the proper procedures and should not have been allowed to do so by the port authority.