Tourists at Piraeus port become taxi drivers’ “hostages”

Cabbies did not rise and shine today but did open their eyes this morning with the ultimate goal of disrupting the day of 5,500 tourists aboard five cruise ships anchored in the main Greek port, who were wishing to go ashore

Police say that a group of taxi owners tried to block the way of one tourist bus which was about to leave the port by spilling oil on the road and putting road blocks around the place.

Thanks to police manoeuvres, 20 out of the 35 buses carrying tourists managed to pass through the blockades and finally leave the port. At the same time, demonstrators were pushed back.

Unfortunately, the chaotic situation was also a reality on the main streets of the area as taxi drivers wreaked havoc on main traffic arteries.

In addition, the drivers had a rally and when they reached SKAI TV headquarters in the Faliro area, they clashed with riot police who were outside the station.  

Their colleagues in Heraklion, Crete have occupied the local tax offices while in Thessaloniki, taxi drivers held a peaceful demonstration in the city centre.