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Yannis Patilas News

28 Sep 2000

Minoan Ferry Captain, Crew Indicted

The captain and four crewmen from the Greek ferry that sank off Paros with more than 500 passengers aboard were moved to another island to be formally charged with manslaughter, eyewitnesses said. Named as Vassilis Yannakis, the captain; his number two Tasso Psychoyios; trainee captain Yannis Patilas' radio operator Yannis Tsoumos; and seaman Panayotis Kazakis, the five were taken to a Coast Guard patrol boat and left Paros for the nearby island of Syros, the regional capital of the Cyclades island group. A Syros prosecutor is expected to spell out the charges against each crewmember late today or early on Friday, and to decide whether they should be held pending trial.

28 Sep 2000

Crew of Sunken Minoan Ferry to be Charged With Manslaughter

Greece launched manslaughter proceedings today, Thursday, September 28, against five members of the crew of the ferry Express Samina and pledged harsh punishment for anyone found responsible for its sinking. "The prosecutor has already begun charge proceedings against five people. He would not have done this without any grounds," Merchant Marine Minister Christos Papoutsis said. "If we find anyone has acted improperly, penalties will be harsh," he said. The captain and four crewmen were being held on the island of Paros, where the ferry, carrying more than 500 people, struck an islet and sank on Tuesday night. At least 65 people died. Some witnesses have said members of the Express Samina crew were watching a soccer match on television when the disaster occurred.