A major police operation is currently unfolding in Vorizia, a small village in Crete popular among British tourists, after a horrific shooting on Saturday left two people dead and at least ten more injured.
Authorities believe five armed suspects remain on the run, hiding in the rugged mountains, canyons, and fields surrounding the village. This represents one of the largest manhunts in the region in recent years, with elite police forces and prosecutors coordinating the complex search across challenging terrain.
From dawn, specialist units heavily armed and equipped with full-face hoods and bulletproof vests have sealed off Vorizia, establishing roadblocks and rigorously checking every vehicle attempting to pass through. Local residents report a tense atmosphere under complete lockdown, with strict entry limited solely to locals.
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Investigators may conduct door-to-door searches under prosecutorial supervision as they continue pursuing the suspects and any hidden weapons. Two assailants reportedly armed with AK-47 assault rifles and shotguns opened fire on the street at around 11 a.m. on Saturday, killing a 39-year-old man and a 56-year-old woman instantly.
Ten additional victims were wounded, four of whom required hospital transfer. Police confirmed two hospitalized individuals are also being investigated for their possible involvement in the shooting. No arrests have yet been made, but authorities believe the perpetrators escaped into a nearby ravine.
The attack followed a separate incident the previous night when an improvised explosive device detonated at a construction site near Vorizia. While no injuries were reported, the blast was loud enough to be heard miles away and caused damage to the building under construction.
Crete has a long-standing history of violent clan rivalries, particularly involving disputes over land ownership that can quickly escalate into deadly confrontations. Recent conflicts between two families centered on grazing land were temporarily settled, but tensions reignited after one family purchased property on contested land—coincidentally the site of Friday’s explosion.
Illegal firearms are prevalent on the island, and gunfire is often heard during celebrations like weddings, making the region a volatile environment prone to outbreaks of violence. Authorities remain on high alert as the search for the suspects continues.