The death of a prisoner at Nafplion Prison in the Peloponnese has prompted inmates to go on a hunger strike, authorities said yesterday. The unnamed prisoner was apparently refused access to the prison hospital despite telling guards that he felt unwell. He died shortly afterward. Synaspismos Left Coalition demanded that the government launch an investigation into the inmate’s death.

An organization calling itself the “Costas Pappas Anarchist Squad” claimed responsibility for placing a homemade explosive device outside a Bank of Cyprus branch in Vyronas, eastern Athens, early yesterday. Police said the device exploded at 4 a.m. and damaged the bank’s windows but did not cause any injuries. Meanwhile, arsonists set fire to three traffic cameras within 10 minutes in different parts of Athens. There were no injuries or arrests, police said.

Greenpeace and the Hellenic Wind Energy Association (ELETAEN) called on the government yesterday to respond to public opinion and develop the use of renewable energy following a European Union survey which indicated that nine in 10 Greeks want cleaner energy. “Greek society has showed that it is mature and ready to overcome the obstacles that have kept renewable energy sources to a minimum in the past,” said Yiannis Tsipouridis, ELETAEN’s president. “It is time for the government to take the necessary steps to produce green energy.”

Coast guard officers detained seven illegal immigrants on the eastern Aegean island of Samos yesterday, the Merchant Marine Ministry said. The migrants’ nationalities were not made public. Meanwhile, three suspected migrant traffickers arrested on the island last week went on trial yesterday. The Turkish nationals are suspected of smuggling 40 migrants onto the island.

Drivers were warned yesterday that repair work will be carried out over the next 20 days on Schistou and Grigoriou Lambraki avenues in southwestern Athens. Work will also take place on the coastal Poseidonos Avenue from Palaio Faliron to Alimos. The work, which may result in lane closures, will take place between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., the Public Works Ministry said.

An earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale struck north of Hania, Crete, early yesterday. It did not cause any damage or injuries.