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A tragic accident occurred at the port of Patras late Thursday night when a 47-year-old female seafarer working in the hotel department of the Greek-chartered ferry AF Claudia was fatally hit by a reversing truck on the vessel\u2019s ramp.<\/p>\n
Authorities reported that the woman, a Greek national described as an assistant- a role typically involving tasks like cleaning cabins or serving passengers- was on foot when she was caught under the wheels of a truck\u2019s trailer during unloading operations.<\/p>\n
The driver, a 44-year-old Greek man, was reversing the vehicle when he failed to see her. He was later hospitalised after feeling unwell.<\/p>\n
The incident occurred while the AF Claudia, a 24,418 gross ton RoRo ferry registered in Italy and owned by Adria Ferries, was unloading vehicles.<\/p>\n
The ferry, built in 2001, had completed a journey from Venice to Patras, with a stop at Igoumenitsa, arriving at around 22:50 on April 24.<\/p>\n
It operates under charter to Greece\u2019s Attica Group for the Superfast Ferries brand and can carry up to 950 passengers and around 100 vehicles.<\/p>\n
After the fatal accident, four people were arrested: the terminal tractor driver, the ship\u2019s captain, the chief officer, and the person responsible for the ship\u2019s loading ramp.<\/p>\n
Authorities said the driver faces manslaughter by negligence charges, while the others have been accused of exposing individuals to danger.<\/p>\n
All four were scheduled to appear before a prosecutor on Friday.<\/p>\n
The 47-year-old victim was rushed to Patra University Hospital but was declared dead shortly after arrival.<\/p>\n
Per reports from local authorities, the woman may have been dragged by the truck as it backed up, causing her fatal injuries.<\/p>\n
The ferry remained docked in Patras on Friday as investigations continued. The Hellenic Coast Guard and the Greek Maritime Accident Investigation Service (ELYDNA) have launched a formal probe into the circumstances surrounding the incident.<\/p>\n
In response to the tragedy, the Patras Labour Centre called for a 24-hour strike beginning at 19:00 on Friday, April 25, and a protest rally starting at 18:30.<\/p>\n
The Panhellenic Seamen\u2019s Federation (PNO) and other unions also demanded an immediate investigation into the accident, calling for a stricter enforcement of safety regulations in the ferry industry.<\/p>\n
They alleged that authorities have ignored warnings about safety risks during loading and unloading operations at Greek ports.<\/p>\n
Union officials pointed out that earlier this month, the Patras Labour Centre had issued warnings about \u201cgrave risks\u201d threatening both crew members and passengers during port operations.<\/p>\n
They highlighted a continued pattern of negligence and poor safety practices among ferries operating between Italy and Greece.<\/p>\n
The unions had already been planning a strike on May 1 to protest working conditions, and a rally is now scheduled for the Thursday before May Day.<\/p>\n
Attica Group, which operates the vessel under charter, issued a statement expressing deep condolences for the loss of their fellow seafarer.<\/p>\n
Greece\u2019s Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Vasilis Kikilias, also expressed condolences through social media, saying that seafarers face risks every day and that protecting their lives must always be a priority.<\/p>\n