1,400 Israelis Evacuated From Cruise Ship in Greece After Explosive Threat
Approximately 1,400 Israeli passengers were evacuated from a cruise ship docked at the Greek island of Syros on Tuesday evening after authorities received an anonymous warning that an explosive device had been planted aboard the vessel or on a nearby pier.
The ship, operated by Israel’s Mano Maritime cruise company, was prevented from departing the port as Greek security personnel launched an investigation into the threat. Passengers were ordered off the vessel while authorities searched for suspicious objects and worked to determine whether the warning was credible.
The incident disrupted a weeklong cruise through the Greek islands, leaving hundreds of Israeli vacationers waiting for clearance to return to the ship and continue their journey home.
The vessel had been scheduled to leave Syros and begin an approximately 24-hour voyage to Israel’s Haifa Port, where it was expected to arrive Thursday morning. The security operation raised questions about whether the ship would be able to maintain its original schedule.
Greek coast guard officers, bomb-detection dogs, and divers were dispatched to inspect the ship, identified as the Crown Iris, which sails under the Panamanian flag and is operated by the Israeli cruise company. Authorities concentrated part of their search on the vessel’s hull after the anonymous warning reportedly claimed that an explosive device had been attached to its underwater section.
Greek authorities subsequently confirmed that the ship was carrying 940 passengers and 597 crew members, for a total of 1,537 people. Initial inspections uncovered no explosives or other suspicious objects, although officials ordered additional examinations before permitting the vessel to leave port.
A specialized underwater operations unit from the Greek Coast Guard was also assigned to conduct a more extensive inspection, with personnel expected to arrive later Tuesday evening.
Reports differed over whether passengers had been evacuated. While some initial accounts described passengers being taken ashore as a precaution, other reports, including information attributed to Mano Maritime, indicated that passengers remained aboard while the searches continued.
The company reportedly believed the warning was likely a false alarm, although Greek authorities continued treating the threat seriously until security checks could be completed.
The incident occurred amid heightened tensions surrounding Israeli tourism in Greece. The Crown Iris has previously encountered pro-Palestinian demonstrations at Greek ports, and another protest reportedly took place Tuesday in Ermoupoli, the principal town on Syros. Authorities had also prohibited a planned demonstration against the ship’s arrival. There was no immediate evidence connecting the bomb threat to those protests.
The security scare also coincided with a series of similar threats affecting European aviation. At least seven flights across Europe received bomb warnings Tuesday, forcing diversions, security inspections, and temporary disruptions at several airports. No explosive devices were discovered in those incidents.
As of the latest reports Tuesday evening, Greek authorities had not identified the individual responsible for the warning, and the Crown Iris was awaiting final security clearance to begin its return voyage to Haifa.
