Accusations continue regarding the responsibilities of those responsible for the unthinkable accident at the amusement park in Pefkohori, Halkidiki, which resulted in the death of a 19-year-old while the owner of the amusement park and the operator of the game were released without any restrictive conditions

The tragic incident in Pefkohori brought to the surface once again the confusion of the public sector and the confusion of responsibilities that prevails between self-government and state bodies.

An investigation is underway because the amusement park was operating without a license while the competent authorities had been informed. At the same time, the Ministry of the Interior ordered a disciplinary check on the Mayor of Kassandra.

Speaking to SKAI, the 19-year-old’s father asks for justice to be served and those responsible for the fatal accident to be punished.

“This particular game store operates completely arbitrarily. So the time has come for me to lose my own child to be checked. I believe the police will do their job.”states characteristics.

Defendants’ lawyer: He has permits from the Municipality, the machines are controlled

“The man has had his business there for 20 years, that is, he has permits from the Municipality. He has these, he has a thousand and two. That is, the machines are periodically checked for many years. Old ones are replaced with new ones. That is, a company cannot work without having certifications and such. It has been checked before the start of operation this season”he said characteristically to SKAI the attorney for the defendants.

Mayor Kassandras: “The last license of the amusement park was in 2023”

However, the Mayor of Kassandra, Anastasia Chalkia, denies this in her statements on the main SKAI news bulletin: “I am making a vertical rebuttal. Vertical rebuttal. Vertical rebuttal. The last permit he got and I can provide you with it is 1569/23 which says… He got it on October 22, 23 and it is approval for the temporary operation of amusement park children”

The mayor’s statements in the main SKAI news bulletin:

In a written statement, the mayor of Kassandra, Anastasia Chalkia, earlier expressed the deep sorrow of both herself and the municipal council for the tragic event at the amusement park in Pefkohori, Halkidiki, which claimed the life of 19-year-old Yannis and her condolences to his family .

“I know that no statement can fill the unfillable void left by the sudden and tragic loss of a young child. Today is a day of mourning and suffering for all of us”, he points out.

With reference to the tragic event that occurred at the amusement park in Pefkohori, Halkidiki, within the territorial jurisdiction of the municipality of Kassandra, it is pointed out in the same announcement that the operation of the business in question was seasonal and took place in a rented private space.

“The managers of the business never disclosed their operation, as they were required by law, nor did they file a relevant file, a fact that was confirmed by the competent auditing bodies of the AT. Kassandra around the middle of July. The Independent Department for Control of Common Areas and Shop Licenses of the Municipality, within the legal deadlines, initiated the administrative sanctions related to the procedure of imposing a fine and the managers of the business were summoned in writing, to report their opinions, as stipulated by law. After that, as Mayor, I proceeded to immediately seal the business in question, according to document number 1020/10469/10 from 20-8-2024 of A.T. Kassandreas”is emphasized.

“With the given recognition of the existing bureaucracy for taking immediate and drastic measures, in combination with the absence of Municipal Police and the cumbersome administrative process that the existing legislative and regulatory framework creates, the Municipality of Kassandra assures that, within the framework of its capabilities and of his powers took and will take all necessary measures to prevent and suppress similar criminal behavior”, it is noted.

“Finally, we assure that we are at the disposal of every Authority to provide the necessary explanations for the tragic event”the announcement concludes.

What the director of the National Transparency Authority, Alexandra Rogaku, said to SKAI:

What is the procedure for granting an operating license to an amusement park?

After the tragic accident that took place in 2019 at an amusement park in Volos, with the victim of a 13-year-old schoolgirl and a second accident in Attica in 2022, the central administration, the government proceeded to issue 2 joint ministerial decisions, which regulated who sponsors license in the amusement park and who is the one who checks whether or not the games in these facilities are in good condition.

What the two Joint Ministerial Decisions provide:

  • The competent authority for the approval of the specific facility is the municipality in whose jurisdiction the amusement park operates.
  • The entrepreneur, the owner of the business submits an application with the necessary supporting documents, which are mentioned in the specific ministerial decisions.
  • The licensing authority, i.e. the Municipality, within 15 days, must either approve or reject the application submitted by the specific entrepreneur
  • The approval is valid for 1 year with the possibility of extension once for 6 months
  • In case of operation without a license, a fine of €3,000 – €30,000 is provided
  • However, if it is found to be operating without a licence, the local Authority cannot stop it from operating, it can simply fine it.

What applies in this particular case

OR police states that: “We went for a check-up at the beginning of July. The owner showed a folder with supporting documents to the Municipality. In the file there was a document from an engineer, who attested to the good operation of the machines. In the file, there was no answer – permission from the Municipality. EL.AS sent a letter to the Municipality of Kassandra, asking to be informed whether or not the facility had a permit, without receiving an answer”.

On their part, local government sources they emphasize that: “o businessman did not submit an application to the municipality for the issuance of a permit. The municipality was informed by EL.AS. for the operation on 10/07 and has room for a fine within 60 days”.

The owner of the amusement park and the operator of the game were released

The two arrested for the accident at the amusement park were released.

The 58-year-old owner of the business and the 21-year-old operator of the game, part of which was broken, were taken to the Polygyros prosecutor’s office and then released without restrictive conditions.

The prosecutor requested a preliminary examination to determine the circumstances of the accident and upon its completion, the criminal assessment of the 58-year-old and the 21-year-old will be decided.

A case was filed against the 58-year-old for manslaughter and against the 21-year-old for fatal exposure.