Trial Begins for Crew Members in the Death of Antonis Kargiotis: The Shocking Video That Sparked Outrage

The trial of the four Blue Horizon crew members involved in the tragic death of 36-year-old Antonis Kargiotis from Agios Nikolaos, Crete, commenced today (January 20) at the Mixed Jury Court of Piraeus.

The case, which has drawn widespread attention in Greece and abroad, centres on the horrific events captured in a viral video last September.

The Fatal Incident

The footage, recorded at the port of Piraeus, shows the ship's first mate violently shoving Antonis off the boarding ramp as the vessel prepared to depart. Antonis fell into the sea, where he tragically lost his life while the ship's engines were running and it had already begun to sail.

The video, described as pivotal in exposing the circumstances of Antonis' death, shocked the nation and sparked outrage. "Without this footage, his family wouldn’t even know why Antonis had died," said lawyer Sofia Tsagaraki, representing the Kargiotis family.

The Charges Against the Crew

The first mate and captain of the Blue Horizon are among the accused, with the former charged with attempted manslaughter with possible malice aforethought and abuse of authority.

The captain faces charges of dangerous interference with ship traffic resulting in death, as well as attempted aiding and abetting. Prosecutors allege he authorised the ship to sail with the boarding ramp still open, in violation of safety regulations, and falsely reported the incident to port authorities in an attempt to cover up the truth.

Two other crew members, the lieutenant and skipper, are also charged. The lieutenant is accused of aiding and abetting manslaughter with intent, failing to stop the ship’s engines or even throw a life jacket after witnessing the incident. The skipper faces similar charges and is alleged to have used violence against Antonis before standing by as the tragedy unfolded.

A Case That Sparked National Reflection

Audio recordings from the ship’s bridge, testimonies from passengers, and data from the vessel’s "black box" have been instrumental in piecing together what transpired. The video, however, has been the cornerstone of the prosecution’s case, laying bare the shocking events that led to Antonis’ death.

"This video brought everything to light," Tsagaraki emphasized, noting that without it, Antonis’ death might have remained another unexplained tragedy.

A Tragic Life Cut Short

Antonis Kargiotis, remembered as a kind and resilient individual, faced numerous challenges in his life, making his untimely death all the more heartbreaking. His story has prompted widespread calls for accountability and a reevaluation of safety protocols in Greece’s maritime industry.

As the trial unfolds, the Kargiotis family and the public await justice for Antonis—a man whose life was cut short in a moment of senseless violence and neglect.