Dockworker Dies During Cruise Ship Ops in Piraeus

A 62-year-old dockworker passed away on Monday morning while handling luggage operations for a cruise ship at the Piraeus Port Cruise Terminal. The man, employed by a private contractor, collapsed during his shift. Despite receiving CPR and being rushed to hospital, he was later pronounced dead.

In a statement, the PPA Union expressed condolences and urged authorities to determine the precise cause of death and identify any responsibilities.

The union also used the tragedy to draw attention to what it described as a growing workplace safety crisis in Greece. “In recent years, the number of colleagues who die on the job has increased alarmingly,” the statement said, citing factors such as accidents, occupational illnesses, unsafe conditions, and excessive workloads.

Additional criticism was directed at the increased reliance on subcontracted labor at critical facilities like Piraeus port. The union argued that this practice undermines accountability. “Health and safety issues are fundamental and vital, yet we see no effective government action. On the contrary, the situation is deteriorating,” it added.