The incident occurred during a scheduled route from Piraeus to Chios and Lesbos, when a group of Roma passengers reportedly lit the cigarette “as a joke” in an enclosed space.

Video footage from the scene shows that the smoke activated the ferry’s fire safety system, causing sprinklers to discharge water throughout the area. The sudden response led to confusion among passengers and crew, many of whom initially believed a fire had broken out on board.

As the alarm spread, passengers rushed toward exits, creating crowding and tension in escape routes before the situation was clarified.

The water released by the system caused material damage, including to passengers’ electronic devices and parts of the ship’s interior.

Despite the disruption and safety concerns, no arrests were made.