Nearly 1,000 evacuated from Greek ferry after chilling bomb threat

After a week of bomb threats disrupting travel, it is not just aircraft passengers who have been left with the fear of if there really is a bomb about to go off. Within the past 5 days Greek ferry’s have been on the same boat when it comes to bomb warnings as a second ferry, this time one about to make a journey to the Greek islands was thrown into uncertainty when hundreds of passengers were ordered off as it was just preparing to leave port. 

The warning was that a bomb was about to explode on board, prompting an evacuation of everyone on the vessel and a search by Greek authorities before it could be allowed to sail. A total of 958 people were taken off the Blue Star 1 at the port of Piraeus on Monday, November 9. They included 875 passengers and 83 crew members. The ferry had been due to leave at 06:00pm for a route serving Syros, Patmos, Leros, Kos and Rhodes.

A passenger receives the warning

The alarm was raised after an unidentified caller telephoned a passenger on board and warned that a bomb was about to explode. The passenger alerted the crew, who then contacted the port authorities. The warning was treated as a serious security matter. Passengers were told to disembark while the vessel was checked, and the ferry’s departure was held until the search had been completed.

There was no indication in the initial reports that the caller had been identified or that the authorities knew who was behind the threat. The evacuation involved the crew as well as passengers. The Blue Star 1 was not a passenger-only service: it was also carrying 89 cars, 12 motorcycles, 110 trucks and a minibus. The vehicle cargo remained on board while the security inspection took place. 

Explosives detection dog joins the search

Greek Coast Guard officers searched the ferry with the assistance of a specially trained explosives-detection dog. The inspection was intended to establish whether an explosive device had been placed somewhere on the vessel. The operation continued after the passengers had been evacuated, with the ship unable to begin its scheduled journey until the checks were finished.

Piraeus is Greece’s main passenger port, and the ferry’s route connects the mainland with several islands in the Cyclades and Dodecanese. For people travelling with cars or other vehicles, the delay also meant waiting for the vessel to be cleared before their journey could continue. The ferry’s scheduled departure was 6pm, but the security response continued into the evening.

No bomb found and threat declared a hoax

The search ended without an explosive device or suspicious object being found. Coast Guard sources subsequently confirmed that the bomb warning was a hoax, and the ferry was cleared to continue its planned service. Greek public broadcaster ERT reported that the inspection had been completed without anything suspicious being discovered and that the vessel was expected to depart on its scheduled route.

The Blue Star 1 was therefore able to resume its journey after the evacuation and security checks.  The caller’s identity and motive had not been established in the reports. Authorities have not publicly identified the person who contacted the passenger, and no further details about the origin of the threat were given.

A disruption affecting passengers and freight

The ferry was due to call at five islands after leaving Piraeus, carrying both holidaymakers and people travelling between the islands and the mainland. Its vehicle deck also held commercial transport, including 110 trucks, meaning the interruption affected more than those travelling as foot passengers. The ship could not simply leave once everyone had disembarked. Officers first had to complete the inspection and establish that there was no device on board.

The specially trained detection dog was part of that search, which continued until the authorities were satisfied that the vessel was safe. Although the warning proved false, the evacuation and inspection delayed the scheduled sailing. The ferry was eventually cleared after no explosive device was found, allowing the service to go ahead.