Aris : “Shipping Company Shooting Kills 4: Tragic Incident Unfolds”

A tragic incident unfolded at a shipping company’s office near Athens, as a former employee opened fire, resulting in the deaths of three people. Greek media reports indicate that the gunman, identified as a 70-year-old Egyptian national, took the lives of two men and a woman before turning the gun on himself.

According to the authorities, the suspect, who had recently been fired, was found dead next to a hunting rifle believed to have been used in the shooting. One of the victims was the owner of the company, European Product Carriers.

The violent incident, initially leading to a hostage situation, occurred in the town of Glyfada, approximately 12km (7 miles) south of Athens. The armed man forcefully entered the building, targeting employees before barricading himself inside.

One witness, an employee of the company, recounted the terrifying moments, stating, “I heard the gunshots, I heard the first two. I headed towards the stairs to see what was happening. I saw two guys coming down, they said, ‘It’s Aris with a gun, he’s shooting.’ Of course, I dashed outside, towards the garden, and made my way out through the back door of the garage.”

The area surrounding the building was cordoned off by the police, with the elite counter-terrorism unit EKAM, along with fire engines and ambulances, stationed outside. A police negotiator made efforts to defuse the situation over several hours, but unfortunately, the perpetrator eventually took his own life.

Greece, known for its strict gun possession laws, rarely experiences shootings unrelated to gang-related activity. Glyfada, a popular seaside resort to the south of Athens, houses numerous Greek and foreign shipping companies.

European Product Carriers, the affected company, operates an average fleet of 35 vessels, including oil tankers.