Vendetta in Crete: Feud Between Two Families Erupted in Bloody Shootout 0 11

As a result of a shootout that occurred on Saturday morning in the village of Vorizia in the Heraklion prefecture, at least two people were killed, one from each family.

This includes a 39-year-old man from the K. family, a father of five, who died from gunshot wounds.

And a 56-year-old woman from the F. family, who also sustained gunshot wounds but is believed to have died from a heart attack.

Another 14 people were injured in the shootout and were hospitalized. The role of two of them in the disturbances is under investigation, so they remain in custody.

Members of the two families are being treated in two different hospitals in Heraklion. One of them was not operational but was opened specifically due to the incident.

Witnesses report that more than 2,000 bullets were fired during the clash.

Under Police Lockdown

Since noon on Saturday, Vorizia has been under police lockdown to prevent further clashes during the feud.

Additionally, law enforcement is on high alert for the funeral of the 39-year-old man, the timing of which is currently unclear.

Three of the five children of the man killed in the shootout were hastily baptized on Saturday evening, as tradition requires this to allow for the burial of the deceased.

At the scene, police are searching for individuals involved in the shootout and for weapons. According to APE-MPA, at least three people from both families are wanted.

On Sunday morning, two people were arrested, one from each family, with one of them allegedly possessing a shotgun illegally.

The chief of the Greek police and the head of the Organized Crime Unit are already on the island.

Schools will remain closed on Monday and Tuesday, and by order of Minister of Education Sofia Zacharakis, a team of child psychologists and social workers will be sent to the area to support the shaken local residents.

What Preceded the Drama

On Friday evening, just hours before the bloody shootout, a powerful explosion was heard in the village.

It turned out that this was due to an explosive device planted in a building owned by members of the F. family.

This incident apparently became the main reason for Saturday's bloodshed.

According to ertnews.gr, the owners of the building blamed the K. family, of which the 39-year-old man shot on Saturday was a member.

As shocking as Saturday's events are, they are not unprecedented for the village of Vorizia. Seventy years ago, in 1955, a similar incident occurred between two other families. The tragic outcome of the clashes resulted in 8 deaths.