In Brief
THESSALONIKI TRAINS
OSE making more space available to passengers The Hellenic Railways Organization (OSE) said yesterday that it would further increase the capacity on its intercity trains between Athens and Thessaloniki to satisfy the demand for seats following the closure of the national road at the Vale of Tempe earlier this month. OSE said that there would be an extra 180 seats available on intercity trains 70 and 55 and an extra 80 seats on the express trains 50 and 75. For more information, passengers can call 1110. Meanwhile, the Green Ecologists suggested to the government that all trucks and buses using the diversion routes around Tempe be transported by train instead. The EcoGreens said that an old OSE line could be used and the vehicles could drive onto open carriages to be transported through the valley. Infrastructure Minister Dimitris Reppas said that he would consider the proposal. GLYFADA HEIST Loot is over 1.5 million euros Police were yesterday searching the southern Athens suburb of Glyfada for clues that might point to the identity of six robbers who snatched watches and other valuables worth some 1.5 million euros from a jewelry store in the area. The robbers threatened staff at the store, in a shopping mall on Artemidos Street, before speeding off on motorcycles. These were abandoned a short distance away and five of the men got into a minivan, while the sixth drove off in a Volkswagen Golf, according to police. Officers later detained a man suspected of being the sixth robber. Police searched a part of Glyfada where they believe the robbers may be hiding out but had not detained any more suspects by last night. Close shave Two railway station masters have been suspended after two trains traveling between Thessaloiki and Alexandroupoli almost collided on Sunday night. It emerged yesterday that the two train drivers realized that they were about to collide head-on and managed to stop just in time. Some 300 passengers were on board the trains. Dodgy meat Inspectors from Piraeus Prefecture yesterday seized 3.7 tons of rotten or unlabeled meat from the warehouse of a food company in Rendi. The meat included wild boar, turkey and beef and was found both in the company’s warehouse and in a refrigerated truck. Officials said that they acted after complaints from one of the firm’s suppliers. According to Piraeus Prefecture, the company, Thesprotia SA, owes more than 5 million euros and attempts to contact its owners have been fruitless. Evia murder A 55-year-old woman was found stabbed to death at her home in Eretria on the island of Evia, yesterday. Police said they were informed that the woman had not been seen since Christmas Eve. She had been stabbed in the neck with an 11-centimeter knife and there were signs that she had tried to fight off her attacker. Closing time The Interior Ministry said yesterday that any public services that make payments to citizens, accept application forms or issue documents will remain open until 3 p.m. tomorrow. December 31 is usually considered a half-day for public services, which normally close at 1 p.m.
