A senior Greek shipping executive plunged to his death from the sixth floor of his office building yesterday. His company owned the ferry that sank in September, killing 80 people. Police said Mr Pantelis Sfinias, vice-president of the board of directors of Minoan Flying Dolphins, a subsidiary of Minoan Lines, was seen by passers-by and employees stepping off the building in the port of Piraeus.
The Express Samina sank off the island of Paros with 500 people aboard in Greece's worst maritime tragedy in decades.
The Greek Capital Market Commission later suspended trading in Minoan shares until tomorrow to protect investors. The Greek Prime Minister, Mr Costas Simitis, government ministers and opposition politicians expressed their sorrow. The Express Samina sank after crashing into well-charted rocks just before reaching port at the Aegean island of Paros. Its captain and second officer were charged with manslaughter and other lesser charges.
A public prosecutor also brought blanket charges of "endangering passengers resulting in death" against anyone at the shipping company found responsible for the accident.
Relatives of victims and survivors had begun legal action against the company for damages. Police said employees testified that the lawsuits were snowballing.