The first officer of a Greek ferry was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison for pushing a passenger off the ship’s ramp as it departed from Piraeus port, leading to the man’s tragic drowning.

Meanwhile, the captain of the ferry received a 7-year and 5-month sentence for his role in the incident.

A Tragic Incident Captured on Video

The case shocked Greece, as the incident was caught on video and went viral on social media, sparking public outrage.

To the horror of viewers, despite being notified of the incident, the captain proceeded with the journey, leaving the passenger in the water. The ferry continued on its route until receiving orders by port authorities.

Court Verdict and Trial Details

A mixed jury at the Court of Piraeus found the first officer and the captain guilty, while acquitting the boatswain and second officer,, who were present at the time, of any wrongdoing.

  • The first officer was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison for pushing 36-year-old Antonis Kariotis into the sea as he tried to board the ferry.
  • The captain received a 7-year and 5-month sentence for allowing the ferry to depart despite the fatal incident.

Both defendants were granted mitigating circumstances for their previously lawful conduct. The court will now decide whether to suspend the sentences on appeal.

The Incident: How It Unfolded

On the evening of September 5, 2023, Antonis Kariotis, a 36-year-old resident of Agios Nikolaos, Crete, attempted to board the Blue Horizon ferry at Piraeus port, which was preparing to set sail for Heraklion, Crete.

In disturbing videos posted on social media, a crew member can be seen having an exchange with a frantic passenger trying to board the ferry, and forcefully shoving Kariotis off the ferry’s vehicle ramp into the sea. The footage shows him falling between the ramp and the pier, struggling against the waves, before disappearing beneath the frothy sea, which was churned up by the ship’s propellers.

His lifeless body was recovered shortly after.

The incident sparked nationwide outrage, as no valid justification was found for denying Kariotis access to the ferry. Even if he lacked a ticket, ferry passengers in Greece can legally purchase tickets on board after departure—a fact that further fueled public anger over the tragedy.

At the time, even the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis commented on the incident on facebook, expressing his “disgust and horror at the unimaginable end.”