A 20-year-old sailor died on Wednesday morning when he was trapped by a watertight sliding door in the ground-floor garage of ferry Blue Star Chios sailing to the port of Piraeus.
24-hour strike of sailors on Blue Star Chios.
Authorities investigate the exact circumstance of the incident, while a prosecutor has been informed on the case.
The tragedy occurred at 8 o’ clock in the morning, while the Blue Star Chios was sailing on the Rhodes-Piraeus route. Once the ferry docked at the port an hour later, the fatally injured young member of the crew transported unconscious to Tzaneio General Hospital of Piraeus, where doctors pronounced his death.
According to the Hellenic Coast Guard, the man was fatally injured when he became trapped in a watertight sliding door in the vessel’s ground-floor garage.
According to state broadcaster ERT, the young sailor was working as “engine cleaner” on the vessel for the last ten days and it was apparently his first job.
In an effort to reconstruct the tragedy, ERT reported that the young sailor tried to reach the engine room through the garage in order to start his shift. He opened the heavy door and closed it too quickly with the effect that he got trapped and crushed. He was discovered a bit later by his colleagues.
Among others, authorities investigate whether he had undergone specific training to work as engine cleaner.
Blue Star Ferries statement
In a statement, the Blue Star Ferries company said that the incident occurred at 08:00, during the Rhodes-Piraeus route. The crew immediately freed the sailor and administered first aid, but it was not possible to restore his vital functions.
“The Blue Star family is deeply shocked and expresses its heartfelt condolences to the sailor’s loved ones,” the company said in an announcement, stressing that it is fully cooperating with the competent authorities to investigate the circumstances of the tragic incident.
The Port Authorities are conducting a preliminary investigation, while the competent prosecutor has already been informed.
Seafarers launch 24-hour strike on Blue Star Chios
The Panhellenic Union of Merchant Marine Engineers (PEMEN) and the Panhellenic Union of Lower Engine Room Crew of the Merchant Navy declared a 24-hour strike on the passenger-car ferry “Blue Star Chios”, from 11:00 Wednesday until 11:00 Thursday, September 24-25, 2025.
The strike was prompted by the fatal injury of a 20-year-old engine cleaner, a member of the ship’s crew, who became trapped on Wednesday in a watertight sliding door in the vessel’s ground-floor garage during the Rhodes-Piraeus route.
PS This is one more fatal labor-related accidents in Greece. By August 19, a total of 142 laborers were killed and 215 were seriously injured during work.
