A massive police manhunt was underway Monday in central Crete for three suspects, following a deadly vendetta shooting over the weekend that left two men dead and several others injured.
Police have cordoned off the area around the village of Vorizia. In an operation involving special police units, authorities searched 10 homes, recovering shotguns, an assault rifle, and knives. Two wounded men, aged 25 and 30, are hospitalized under police guard and face homicide charges in connection with the incident.
The violence erupted Saturday morning, shattering the quiet of the village. Witnesses described continuous gunfire from Kalashnikovs, pistols, and hunting rifles.
The shooters allegedly fired recklessly without regard for bystanders, hitting cafes, balconies, homes, and vehicles.
Relatives and friends gathered Monday at the home of one victim, a 39-year-old man, whose funeral is scheduled for later in the day.
Residents of the small village remain tight-lipped as the investigation continues.
Authorities said the vendetta traces back to long-standing family disputes.
The feud reportedly escalated recently following a dynamite explosion near a contested property and prior arrests for animal theft.
The Greek Minister of Public Order is reportedly monitoring the situation, as the incident highlights the ongoing challenges of clan-related violence in rural Crete.
By Vassilis Goulas