In Brief
Road collision
Car runs into school bus in Larissa but none of the children injured A car crashed into a kindergarten bus in the central town of Larissa yesterday afternoon but none of the children aboard were injured. The car slammed into the bus after the motorist reportedly ignored a traffic sign and knocked the bus over. Rescuers had to break the bus windows in order to rescue the children, aged between two and four, who had all been wearing their seat belts. Illegal immigrants Coast guard detains total of 187 on four different Aegean islands Coast guard officers detained 187 illegal immigrants, including 11 children, on four different islands yesterday. Authorities detained immigrants on the islands of Lesvos, Kos, Folegandros and Samos following more stringent patrols of the Greek-Turkish sea border. The immigrants told authorities they had crossed over to Greece from Turkish shores, each paying 2,000 euros. Earthquake test Rescue drill held in Thessaly The Civil Protection Authority of Thessaly and the University of Thessaly held a rescue drill in Larissa, central Greece, with the scenario of a 7 Richter earthquake hitting the city. The drill, which also included a 5.5 Richter aftershock, involved the collapse of a local bridge and and an apartment building, trapping 32 people. Organizers said they were satisfied with response times shown by police, medical staff and the fire service. Fatal shootout A 39-year-old Albanian man, who died in a shooting in Nea Ionia, northern Athens, on Wednesday, was killed by a 29-year-old fellow Albanian due to personal differences, police said yesterday. The 39-year-old had allegedly waited outside the younger man’s home and when he appeared shot him, causing serious injuries. But the younger man was reportedly able to shoot back at his assailant, identified as Costas Doni, killing him. The 29-year-old is in hospital under police guard. He is to face a prosecutor on manslaughter charges on his release. His girlfriend, also 29, was arrested for harboring a criminal. Hash haul Police in northern Greece yesterday confiscated more than 45 kilos of cannabis after spotting five Albanians cross the border with several bags. One of the Albanians was caught but the other four crossed back into Albania, eluding arrest. Separately, officers in the area of Sitaria, Ioannina, arrested a local resident believed to have been cultivating cannabis. Officers uprooted more than 12 cannabis plants from his garden. School food Police conducted 220 inspections of school canteens and snack shops in Athens yesterday, finding nearly half to be violating health and safety regulations or other laws. A total of 99 outlets were found guilty of violations with 35 reportedly operating without licenses and 53 selling items for which they were not authorized. Suspect arrested A 24-year-old man was arrested in Aspropyrgos, west of Athens, yesterday after allegedly holding up a service station, police said. The suspect was spotted by police traveling in a stolen car along with two other men that had also taken part in the holdup. When police instructed the driver to pull over, a high-speed car chase ensued, resulting in the suspect’s car crashing. The other two suspects escaped arrest, police added. The 24-year-old has also been accused of other petty crimes. Procedure change The US Embassy said it will modify procedures for non-immigrant visa services as of Monday. In order to streamline the process and provide a more effective service, the embassy will limit applicants who can apply for a visa without a scheduled appointment, the embassy said. Applicants over the age of 80 and under the age of 14 who do not require an interview may submit their applications between noon and 1 p.m. All other applicants need to make an appointment.
