In Brief
MOTORIST DIES
Train slams into truck at a level crossing near Thessaloniki The driver of a small truck was killed yesterday when he ignored the barriers at a level crossing near Thessaloniki and was hit by an oncoming train. The 45-year-old man died instantly when the Thessaloniki-Serres train smashed into his vehicle in Diavata at 6.45 a.m. None of the train passengers was injured. Witnesses said the man drove past the line of cars and the protective barriers to try and cross the tracks. The accident occurred less than 24 hours after the government launched an awareness campaign to warn motorists to take extra care at level crossings. KOLONAKI BURGLARS Pair allegedly behind 14 break-ins Two men who were allegedly responsible for at least 14 break-ins in Kolonaki, central Athens, have been arrested, police said yesterday. The pair, aged 36 and 39, allegedly stole computers and other electrical goods from shops and offices in the area. Officers said the 39-year-old would take apart the computers and sell the parts. Police found 60 laptops in the possession of the two unnamed suspects. Illegal immigrants Police yesterday detained 41 illegal immigrants hidden in a truck in an area close to the northeastern city of Komotini. The immigrants were from Bangladesh, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Somalia. The driver and two passengers, all Turkish nationals, abandoned the truck and escaped arrest after the vehicle was intercepted by authorities. In a separate incident, the coast guard detained yesterday 10 illegal immigrants who jumped off a boat near the northeastern Aegean islet of Oinouses. The wooden boat, with about 60 people on board, turned back toward Turkey after refusing to stop at the request of the Greek coast guard. Blackmailer sentenced A Thessaloniki court handed a 43-year-old man a suspended 15-month jail sentence for blackmailing people having extramarital affairs. The suspect was found guilty of taking photographs of married people while on their secret dates and demanding money to keep his mouth closed. Weapon investigation An investigation has been launched into the loss of a handgun by a port official during Sunday’s military parade. The official reported that his service gun was missing after taking part in the Independence Day parade held by the armed forces.
