Greece: Four dead in shooting at shipping company
A former employee, identified as a man, has fatally shot three individuals at an office of a shipping company situated near Athens, according to Greek media reports.
The perpetrator reportedly took the lives of two men and a woman before taking his own life with a hunting rifle found beside him, which authorities believe was the weapon used in the shooting.
Law enforcement officials disclosed that the assailant, who had recently been terminated from his position, was among the deceased, including the owner of the company, European Product Carriers.
The tragic incident, which initially sparked a hostage crisis, unfolded in Glyfada, approximately 12 kilometers (7 miles) south of Athens. The armed individual forcibly entered the premises, targeted employees with gunfire, and subsequently barricaded himself inside after killing the three victims.
An eyewitness, who identified themselves as a company employee, recounted the ordeal to journalists, narrating the moments of hearing the gunshots and the alarming warning from colleagues about the armed assailant.
Authorities swiftly cordoned off the vicinity surrounding the building, deploying the elite counter-terrorism unit EKAM, alongside fire trucks and ambulances.
Throughout the standoff, the gunman maintained his position on the building’s second floor as a police negotiator attempted to de-escalate the situation over several hours. Tragically, the perpetrator ultimately resorted to taking his own life.
The individual responsible for the shooting has been identified as a 70-year-old Egyptian national.
Shootings – outside of gang-related activity – are rare in Greece, which has strict laws over gun possession.
Many Greek and foreign shipping companies have offices in Glyfada, a seaside resort to the south of Athens.
European Product Carriers owns an average fleet of 35 vessels including oil tankers.
