Two people were killed and at least ten others injured in a violent shooting in the village of Vorizia on the Greek island of Crete on Saturday, in what police describe as a family vendetta rooted in long-standing local feuds.
According to officials cited by the Athens News Agency, the attack began mid-morning when unidentified gunmen opened fire in the small mountain village near Heraklion.
Police confirmed that a 39-year-old man and a 56-year-old woman were killed at the scene, while four of the wounded were transferred to nearby hospitals. Two of those hospitalised are reportedly under investigation for their possible involvement in the attack.
Explosion Preceded Deadly Shooting
Authorities revealed that the assault followed a late-night explosion on Friday at a local construction site, where an improvised explosive device had been planted. Police believe the two incidents may be connected and could stem from an ongoing feud between local families — part of a deep-seated Cretan tradition of vendettas often fuelled by revenge and honour disputes.
“Early indications suggest this was not random,” a police official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity. “We are looking into an escalation following the explosion the night before.”
Heavy Police Deployment, National Attention
In response to the violence, Greece’s top police commanders — including the heads of the Hellenic Police and the Organised Crime Unit — were dispatched from Athens to oversee the investigation. A special police squad has been deployed to patrol Vorizia and nearby villages to prevent retaliatory attacks.
Crete has a long and complex history of blood feuds (vendettas) that can span generations, often triggered by land disputes, personal insults, or acts of revenge.
Greek Interior Ministry officials have called for calm, warning residents against spreading rumours or taking retaliatory action as forensic and ballistic teams comb the scene for evidence.
As of Saturday evening, no arrests had been announced. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage and witness statements amid fears of renewed violence in the area.
