A Thessaloniki appeals prosecutor has ordered criminal charges for negligent manslaughter against seven people in connection with the 2024 amusement park accident in Halkidiki, northern Greece, where a 19-year-old man lost his life.
Those facing the charges include former Kassandra Mayor Anastasia Chalkia, two former deputy mayors, two municipal employees who headed local services, and two engineers.
The case concerns alleged actions and omissions related to the installation, operation and safety of the amusement park. The individuals were reported to authorities by the victim’s father, who had filed a complaint alleging possible negligence.
Prosecutor Reopens Investigation
The initial complaint had been rejected by a prosecutor in Halkidiki, who argued that there was no direct connection between the alleged actions and the teenager’s death.
However, the Thessaloniki appeals prosecutor reached a different conclusion after accepting an appeal by the victim’s father and ordering a preliminary investigation into whether the accused had committed negligent manslaughter.
Following the completion of the investigation and evaluation of the findings, the prosecutor requested that charges be brought. The offence is classified as a misdemeanor under Greek law.
Previous Legal Proceedings
Most of the people now facing the new charges have already been referred to trial in a separate case involving alleged breach of duty, and in some cases aiding or instigating the offence.
That case is scheduled to be heard at the end of the year by the Thessaloniki Single-Member Court of Appeals for Felonies, due to special legal provisions applying to the former mayor and one deputy mayor.
Meanwhile, four people have already been convicted by the Mixed Jury Court of Giannitsa over the 19-year-old’s death following a lengthy trial.
The owner of the amusement park was sentenced to life imprisonment plus an additional eight years, while his wife, who was involved in managing the business, received a nine-year prison sentence. The operator of the “Crazy Dance” ride was sentenced to six years, and a mechanical engineer who had issued operational inspection certificates received a 13-year sentence.
