In Brief
STATION DEATH
Security guard dragged under train in Thessaloniki A 23-year-old security guard died after being dragged under a train at Thessaloniki station yesterday. According to authorities, the guard, who was not named, had attempted to move back from the edge of the platform a woman who was seeing off a relative, when the train began to move. The guard got caught and was dragged into the gap between the train and the platform resulting in him being killed instantly. The Hellenic Railways Organization (OSE) issued a statement expressing its regret over the incident and saying that it would cover the cost of the guard’s funeral. AUSTRALIAN BUSHFIRES Condolence book at embassy The Australian Embassy in Athens is to open a book of condolences today for the victims of the bushfires in Australia. The book will remain open until Friday, February 27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The embassy is located on the sixth floor of the Thon building on the corner of Kifissias and Alexandras avenues in Ambelokipi, central Athens. Cereal withdrawn The Hellenic Food Authority (EFET) said on Saturday that the breakfast cereal Chocolate Crunch Muesli, sold by Lidl supermarkets in Greece, and produced by the British firm Mulder Natural Foods, is being withdrawn from the market after chemical substances from the packaging were found in the product itself. The food safety watchdog advised consumers against eating the cereal, as there are no data about whether the substances found in the cereal pose a health risk. Presidents’ Day The US Embassy in Athens and the General Consulate in Thessaloniki will be closed today to celebrate Presidents’ Day, which is a public holiday in the USA. Supermarket raid Two armed men held up a supermarket in Katerini, northern Greece late on Saturday. The robbers, who were wearing hoods, threatened the staff and ordered them to hand over cash from tills. They then made off on a motorcycle. Authorities did not reveal the amount stolen. Violent robbery The owner of a corner shop in Thessaloniki was badly beaten during a raid by thieves on Saturday. Three men armed with an air gun entered the store and took 100 euros from the cash register, the owner’s mobile phone and his hunting rifle before attacking the man, who had to be taken to the hospital for treatment. The victim said he did not recognize the assailants. December revisited Hundreds of protesters took part in a demonstration in central Athens on Saturday demanding the release of all those arrested during December’s unrest in the capital. During the protest, which had a strong leftist presence, organizers said that dozens of people are being kept in custody unjustly and that it is unjustifiable for 18 suspects to be facing trial based on anti-terror laws. There was a heavy police presence around Parliament, the scene of heavy clashes in December. The rally ended peacefully.
