The Greek Parliament opened its plenary session Thursday in a somber atmosphere, holding a minute of silence to honor the victims of two tragedies that have shaken the country.
Addressing the chamber, Vice President Georgios Georgantas said the consecutive losses had “crushed the country and society,” speaking on behalf of the Parliament’s leadership and lawmakers.
The minute of silence honored the five female employees who lost their lives following an explosion and subsequent fire at the Violanta cookie factory in Trikala. Referring to the incident, Georgantas said the tragedy was a stark reminder that workplace safety must be treated as fundamental and non-negotiable.
The observance also paid tribute to seven young Greek fans of PAOK who were killed in a tragic traffic accident in Romania. Expressing condolences to their families, Georgantas described the trip as one that began in celebration but ended in devastating loss, extending sympathies to the families of the victims.
“In the face of such unspeakable tragedies,” he said, “we can only stand in silence and show our respect.”
The gesture set a solemn tone for the session of the Hellenic Parliament, reflecting a shared sense of mourning across Greek society.
