Red tape holding up roof over Santorini site
More than three years after the roof over the ancient Akrotiri site on Santorini collapsed, killing a British tourist, the project to build a new structure appears to have completely stalled, prompting local officials to demand a meeting with a government minister to resolve the situation. Cyclades Prefect Dimitris Bailas yesterday requested a meeting with Culture Minister Antonis Samaras to discuss the latest delay, which has arisen because a presidential decree forbids construction at the archaeological site and this means the new roof cannot be erected. It appears that the government will have to pass an amendment suspending the effect of the law before the work on building a new roof can begin. The huge steel roof covering the remains of the ancient Minoan settlement collapsed in September 2005 as workers were watering soil laid over it. Six people were also injured in the accident.
