A ferry strike has hit Piraeus following the tragic death of a 20-year-old sailor aboard the Blue Star Chios ship. The 24-hour stoppage, called by the Panhellenic Union of Marine Engineers (PEMEN) and the Panhellenic Union of Engine Crew E.N. “Stefenson”” began at 00:01 and will run until midnight.

The unions are demanding stricter enforcement of safety measures and more time for specialised crew training. They have also urged other maritime unions to join the protest. The Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO) called for a full investigation, while PENEN criticised what it described as insufficient safety protocols on the ship.

The young seaman, employed as an engine room cleaner, became trapped in a watertight sliding door in the ferry’s lower garage. The accident occurred shortly before 8 a.m. on Wednesday, September 24, 2025. The sailor was attempting to pass through a heavy, watertight sliding door in the ship’s garage to reach the engine room during the scheduled Rhodes-Piraeus route, which included stops at Halki, Diafani, Karpathos, Kasos, Anafi, and Thira.  He was found unconscious by colleagues and he was rushed to Tzaneio Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Reports indicate the door was manually operated, and the sailor had been hired just days earlier, on September 15.

Authorities arrested the ship’s captain and chief engineer, who were temporarily released after appearing before the Piraeus Prosecutor’s Office. Both face charges of negligent homicide , with a preliminary investigation underway.

Blue Star Ferries confirmed the fatal incident in a statement expressing ” deep sorrow and sympathy” to the family of the young sailor. The company noted that it is cooperating fully with authorities as investigations continue.

Travellers might be impacted by the strike and should contact directly ferry companies for more information, as not all routes have been affected.