Horrific Violence
Deadly Shooting Rocks Crete: At Least Two Killed, 10+ Injured
A deadly family feud erupted in the village of Vorizia, Crete, as gunmen unleashed over 2,000 bullets, killing two and wounding more than 10, including a child, in a shocking vendetta that has left the mountainous community reeling and authorities scrambling to contain the violence.
A long-simmering family feud erupted into a hail of gunfire in the mountainous village of Vorizia on Saturday morning, leaving at least two people dead and more than 10 others wounded, including a child, after assailants unleashed over 2,000 bullets in a shocking display of violence.
The incident unfolded around 11 a.m. local time in this remote community on the southern slopes of Mount Psiloritis, approximately 52 kilometers (32 miles) southwest of Heraklion, Crete's largest city.
Gunmen, believed to be members of one extended family, opened fire on homes belonging to their rivals, riddling vehicles and structures with automatic weapons fire, including bursts from Kalashnikovs, according to eyewitness accounts and police forensics.
The barrage was so intense that villagers barricaded themselves indoors, with some describing the scene as "moments of terror" amid echoes of gunfire reverberating through the gorge.
Greek state broadcaster Skai, which first reported the scale of the shooting with details on the ammunition expended, described it as a revival of a decades-old vendetta between two prominent local families, ignited by a dispute over a construction site.
The feud reportedly reignited following a bomb explosion at a house under construction the previous night, escalating tensions that had simmered for years.
Among the confirmed fatalities are a 39-year-old man, who arrived dead at Venizeleio Hospital in Heraklion, and a 50-year-old woman transported to the University General Hospital of Heraklion (PAGNI), where she was pronounced dead on arrival.
At least 10 to 15 others were injured, with some in critical condition; hospitals reported treating gunshot wounds across all ages, including a young child.
No arrests have been announced, and the suspected shooter or shooters remain at large, prompting a massive police response.
Greece's top law enforcement brass, including the national police chief and the head of the organized crime unit, rushed to Crete to oversee the investigation, with special forces securing the cordoned-off village and forensic teams combing the scene for shell casings and evidence.
A senior police official described the attack as a classic "family vendetta," a rare but culturally resonant form of rural dispute on Crete, where illegal firearms are unfortunately commonplace.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves across the island, prompting farmers in neighboring Heraklion and Lassithi districts to suspend planned demonstrations in solidarity with the victims and to foster a "peaceful climate."
Authorities emphasized that travel to Crete remains safe, with the incident isolated to this remote area.
Vendettas like this, though echoes of Crete's storied past, are exceedingly uncommon in modern Greece, making this outbreak all the more alarming.
This marks the second deadly shooting on Crete in recent weeks: On October 26, a 23-year-old fatally shot a 52-year-old man during a village festival in western Crete.
As investigations continue, residents and officials alike are calling for swift justice to prevent further bloodshed in this idyllic but now scarred village.