Fatal Accidents Spark Seafarer Protests in Greece
A tragic incident on September 24,2025,claimed the life of a 20-year-old sailor aboard the “Blue Star Chios.” The young man, who had only been employed on the vessel for fifteen days, suffered fatal injuries after becoming trapped in a waterproof sliding door within the engine room. He was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries shortly after.
This death marks the hundredth work-related accident to occur in Greek ports adn on ferries and ships this year. A similar tragedy recently unfolded in Patras, involving the “Claudia” – a ship operated by the same company. A 47-year-old seafarer died while unloading vehicles, a result of disregarded safety protocols in the ship’s garage.
“No more Seafarer Blood for Shipowner Profits!” was the rallying cry as unions responded with immediate action. The Sieheleutegenkarkies Penen, Pemen and Stefanson unions initiated a 24-hour strike in the port of Piraeus, beginning at midnight on September 24th. The strike was widely supported,with participants holding rallies to raise public awareness about the dangers faced by seafarers.
Union leaders attribute these preventable deaths to insufficient safety measures for maritime workers and lax oversight from the Ministry of Shipping and relevant authorities. They are demanding strict adherence to safety regulations, thorough training programs for all seafarers, and thorough instruction on ship operations to prevent further loss of life driven by cost-cutting measures.
Beyond addressing immediate safety concerns, the unions are calling for a full examination into the causes of these accidents and accountability for those responsible. Adding to the pressure, all Greek unions have announced a general strike scheduled for October 1st, with the primary demand being the withdrawal of a proposed government bill that would introduce a 13-hour workday.
