Greek shipping mourns after the unexpected death of the 20-year-old cadet of the Merchant Navy Marianna, crew member of a Greek-flagged tanker, who fell ill during her training voyage with the ship.
According to a Greek Coast Guard press release, the young seafarer fell ill after the tanker left the port of Sikka in India.
Due to her illness, the 20-year-old cadet disembarked at the port of Suez in Egypt and was repatriated on 02-09-2023 under the care of the tanker’s owner company along with a medical escort.
Marianna was transferred to a private clinic in Attica and then to a hospital, where she passed away on 17-09-2023.
A preliminary investigation about the young seafarer’s death is taking place, the Hellenic Coast Guard said.
The Greek Minister of Shipping, Christos Stylianides, said on Facebook that he is shocked by the death of the young woman, crew member of a tanker under the Greek flag.
Stylianides added that ”our thoughts are with Maria-Anna’s family and friends” and expressed his sincere condolences.
Greek private TV station MEGA reported that this was the first trip for the 20-year-old cadet, who appears to have died of infectious encephalitis, most likely after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
In Marianna´s birthplace, Kos island in southern Aegean, there is unspeakable mourning and today the last act of the drama will be played at the Holy Church of the Ascension in the village Zipari, where her funeral will take place in the afternoon.
It remains now from the authorities and the investigation which is under way to reveal the reason of the death of the 20-year-old Marianna.
