U.S. Tourist Dies After Yacht Sinks Off Greek Island
An elderly American man died when a chartered Greek yacht carrying mostly U.S. tourists struck rocks and sank off Greece early today, officials said. It was the third incident in less than a week involving Greek shipping in the Cyclades islands.
The Zeus III sank shortly after midnight off the Aegean island of Naxos, about 100 miles southeast of Athens. All others aboard were rescued, but the 82-year-old victim died of an apparent heart attack, officials said.
“The 37 passengers that were picked up are all fine,” said Merchant Marine Minister Christos Papoutsis.
According to the ministry, 27 passengers were American, one was German and three were Greek.
A ferry disaster off the nearby island of Paros on Tuesday killed at least 66 people. Another ferry ran aground Thursday just before docking in Naxos port.
As a result of those two incidents, the ministry confined 65 ships to port beginning at midnight tonight, citing improper safety standards.
The ministry gave the vessels 20 days to meet European Union safety requirements or have their permits revoked.
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