Horror shooting on Brit tourist hotspot in Greece leaves two dead | World | News
A massive manhunt is underway at a popular British holiday destination in Greece after two men were shot dead and at least ten others injured on Saturday. Police believe at least five armed men are now at large, hiding in the mountains, canyons and fields around Vorizia, a small community in Crete. The operation is one of the largest in recent years, with elite police units and prosecutors coordinating searches across the rugged terrain at the site.
Heavily armed special forces have blockaded the Greek village since dawn, blocking the roads and stopping every vehicle entering and exiting the area. Residents told local channel Protothema that officers wearing hoodies and bulletproof vests were “making a fuss for every car that passed.” The village is still under complete lockdown, with locals speaking of a tense atmosphere and growing fears of further violence.
Police were on high alert as access to the area was restricted to local residents only. Investigators say house-to-house searches may be conducted under the supervision of prosecutors as the hunt for weapons and suspects intensifies.
Two suspects, armed with AK-47 assault rifles and shotguns, opened fire on the streets of Vorizia in central Crete at around 11:00 on Saturday. According to The Sun, a 39-year-old man and a 56-year-old woman were killed during the attack. 10 people were injured in the conflict and 4 people were hospitalized.
Police confirmed that two people at the hospital were also under investigation for their alleged involvement in the shooting. No arrests have yet been made, but those responsible are believed to have fled to a nearby valley.
A police spokesman said the attack occurred just hours after an explosion at a nearby construction site on Friday night. The improvised explosive device (IED) created a loud explosion that witnesses said could be heard for miles. No one was injured and the only damage was to the building under construction.
Crete is home to rival criminal families with a long history of feuding; Here, disagreements can turn violent due to perceived insults or acts of revenge. In particular, two families had recently clashed over grazing land, and this dispute was later mediated.
However, tensions reportedly flared up again after a member of one family bought a house on land belonging to another family (where Friday’s explosion occurred). Illegal gun ownership is a well-known problem in Crete; Firearms are often fired to celebrate important occasions such as weddings and festivals.
