New evidence comes to light regarding the deadly confrontation between two families in Vorizia, Herakleio, which left two people dead and four injured. The situation in Crete resembles other tragic times marked by blood, violence, and hatred.
The forensic examination of 56-year-old Evangelia Frangiadaki showed that the woman was fatally injured by gunfire that caused severe internal trauma. The possibility of cardiac arrest during the event remains under investigation.
Meanwhile, the funeral of the 39-year-old father of five, who was killed in the exchange of gunfire, was postponed by order of the Hellenic Police (EL.AS.) for security reasons. It is recalled that the body of the deceased man was transported earlier this morning to PAGNI (University General Hospital of Herakleio) for autopsy, and it had initially been announced that his funeral would follow. However, the tense atmosphere in the village and the fact that the body of the 39-year-old would have to pass in front of the houses of the other (rival) family led the authorities to postpone the funeral until Monday, November 3.
The village remains under heavy police guard, while strong forces of the Hellenic Police are conducting extensive searches for all those involved and for the weapons used. According to the EL.AS., there are four injured persons, two of whom are hospitalized under police guard, and two confirmed dead. The investigation also continues in nearby villages in an effort to locate all participants. However, the total number of fatalities remains uncertain, as there are unverified reports suggesting it may be higher.
What happened in Crete - The vendetta from the 1950s
The massacre appears to have been sparked by long-standing family disputes over grazing land, despite previous reconciliation efforts through the traditional Cretan mediation practice known as “sasmos”—a customary process to restore peace between feuding families. This year’s incident demonstrates that old hostilities have not disappeared and can still erupt violently.
The vendetta between the Kargakis and Frangiadakis families has lasted for many years and is attributed to disputes over pastures in the area. The rivalry between the two families has deep roots: they lived on opposite sides of the village, separated by a ravine that served as a natural boundary. The attempt by one family to build a house on the other family’s side seems to have been the “crossroads of death” that ignited the final outbreak.
Reports state that the village has been turned into a “dead zone,” as strong police forces, including a permanent EKAM (Special Anti-Terrorist Unit) team, have been deployed there to prevent further incidents. Based on available information, the immediate cause of the armed conflict was the detonation of an explosive device (two sticks of dynamite) at a house under construction belonging to a member of one family, which angered the rival side and led to an exchange of fire with more than 2,000 bullets discharged within the village.
Schools in the neighboring villages of Zacharo and Rizia will remain closed for the next few days as a preventive measure due to fears of retaliation.
The investigation
On Sunday, November 2, police made one arrest and one detention. Vorizia now resembles a ghost village, as residents avoid going outside, while police forces remain on site, including an EKAM unit dispatched from Athens.
The case file compiled by the authorities will be forwarded to the prosecutor, while the police investigation continues “until it is established how many individuals were involved in the incident,” as stated by Konstantia Dimoglidu, the spokesperson of the Hellenic Police.
The missing 32-year-old son of the woman killed in Vorizia
Since yesterday, the 32-year-old son of the 56-year-old woman has been missing; he is believed to be hiding in the mountains after the fatal clash between the two families. The completed forensic report completely changes the data, confirming that there are victims from both sides, among them the 56-year-old woman.
Local residents believe this fact may help calm tensions, as both families have suffered losses. The village, however, remains tense, with residents demanding that the truth be revealed. They emphasize that only when the person who placed the explosive device is identified will justice be served and the “circle of blood” finally closed.
There are also witnesses who, according to relatives of the 56-year-old, can provide crucial testimonies about how the bomb was placed and how the deadly trap was set. Tomorrow morning, the funeral of the 39-year-old man will take place in a close family circle, while the funeral of the 56-year-old woman, whose body has been transferred to Chania, has not yet been scheduled.
Police patrol in the village - Case file to the prosecutor
“At this time, there is a strong police presence both from Crete’s local services and from reinforcements that arrived from Athens. About ten house searches have already been conducted and will continue until the number of participants in the incident is fully established,” stated Ms. Dimoglidu, speaking early on the morning of Sunday, November 2, to ERTnews.
She added that so far no weapons have been found, nor any critical evidence that could facilitate the investigation, while the case file is expected to be delivered to the prosecutor today. The Hellenic Police spokesperson described the case as “particularly serious,” reminding that it has been many years since Crete faced such an incident.
As she mentioned: ‘We had an explosion in the house of one family the night before last. Police forces were on site from the very first moment, and throughout the night there were patrols in the village.’”
She clarified that most members of the two families were not present in the village, and that according to the preliminary investigation, a member of one family arrived the next morning, met with relatives of the other family, and opened fire, an act that led to the exchange of gunfire. She added that so far, two people hospitalized are confirmed participants in the violent incident. “The investigations will not stop until all those responsible are brought to justice,” she emphasized.
However, Ms. Dimoglidu also noted that “it has not yet been determined from which side the explosive device was placed in the house.” She concluded:
“Our task may not be easy, but the experienced officers of Crete and the Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (DAOE) will bring this case to an end. No one is above the law.”
It is recalled that until late last night, a broad meeting was held under the Chief of the Hellenic Police, Lieutenant General D. Mallios, who arrived in Crete with a delegation from the DAOE, attended by the Director of the Directorate and the heads of the local police forces, to discuss the next steps in the area and the progress of the investigations.
EL.AS. Investigations - Individuals being sought
Police searches are ongoing in homes and vehicles in Vorizia, which has now been divided into three zones. According to current information, at least three individuals from each of the two families are being sought by the Hellenic Police as suspects in connection with the massacre.
Police presence at the hospitals
Strong police forces remain stationed at both Herakleio hospitals where the dead and injured were taken. According to the EL.AS., two of the injured are hospitalized under police guard, as their involvement in the armed incident is under investigation.
Mayor of Herakleio: “When will we uproot the violence that dwells in so many souls in our local communities?”
The Mayor of Herakleio, Alexis Kalokairinos, began his weekly address by referring to the bloodshed in Vorizia.
Mr. Kalokairinos stated, among other things:
“None of us should feel at ease when the repulsive face of lawlessness and vigilantism resurfaces on our island.
When will we uproot the violence that dwells in so many souls in our local communities?
Attitudes and behaviors that stem from a distant past remain deeply rooted, ready to resurface and shatter the fragile shell of modernization.
We, the Cretans, as Cretans, need less self-admiration and less self-praise.
We must become more honest with ourselves and with one another—as a collective self.
We must act so that our idealized self-image no longer serves as an alibi for endemic criminality that continues to rely on widespread illegal gun ownership and use.
Everyone must understand that Crete is not under any special regime, it is part of the Hellenic Republic, where the laws of the Hellenic Democracy apply.
We must be the first to say, ‘Enough!’ Νot only to say it and shout it, but to truly believe it and put it into practice, with courage and without fear.
Resisting this disgrace is the true vindication of Cretan valor, which no one has the right to exploit.”
www.bankingnews.gr
Readers’ Comments