A violent altercation between two young men took place outside a popular nightclub in Marousi, Athens in the early hours of Sunday morning at around 03:30 AM EEST (00:30 UTC).
The altercation unfortunately ended in tragedy, as one of the young men involved lost his life soon after. The victim was a 23-year-old man. However, he was not the only one. A 26-year-old man was also seriously injured in the event.
According to reports from Greece’s public broadcaster ERT, which is quoting unverified police sources, the two men engaged in a heated argument as they were leaving the nightclub. However, no clear reason or motive has been established as of yet. This altercation quickly escalated into a physical confrontation. During the altercation, gunshots were fired, and a knife was allegedly used, as the 23-year-old was found to have sustained knife wounds.
Emergency services, including ambulances from Greece’s EKAB service, were promptly dispatched, and they rushed to the scene. Upon arrival, police officers and paramedics discovered the 23-year-old man bleeding from a neck wound, likely caused by a knife.
Additionally, a bullet as well as a 22-caliber pistol were found nearby in a flower pot. Despite every possible effort to save his life, the young man succumbed to his injuries during transport to Athens‘ Red Cross hospital.
Meanwhile, the 26-year-old man who was also found on the scene with a serious abdominal injury was rushed to the hospital, too. His injuries were possibly from a gunshot wound. The man is currently receiving treatment for his injuries.
Greek police (ELAS) have now launched an investigation into the incident, trying to determine the motive behind this violent confrontation and to identify any additional individuals who may have been involved.
Authorities are urging anyone with information related to this case in Marousi, Athens to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation.
Gun violence in Athens: A concerning trend
While Greece has been historically known for having a relatively low rate of gun violence compared to other Western nations, recent data suggests the country, and particularly Athens, is experiencing a noticeable increase in firearm-related incidents.
Approximately two months ago, in February 2024, four people died during a shooting incident at a Greek shipping company in the southern Athens suburb of Glyfada.
The gunman, who was a former employee of the shipping company, entered the building and opened fire on employees, resulting in the deaths of three individuals before turning the gun on himself.
The perpetrator was later identified as a 70-year-old Egyptian national who was indeed working for the company. However, some reports at the time suggested he had been terminated from his position at the firm.
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