Greek authorities evacuated the cruise ship Crown Iris at the port of Syros on Tuesday after the vessel's captain receiv...

Greek authorities evacuated the cruise ship Crown Iris at the port of Syros on Tuesday after the vessel's captain received a radio warning that an explosive device may have been attached to the ship's hull beneath the waterline. The Hellenic Coast Guard ordered the evacuation of all 940 passengers and 597 crew members as specialist teams moved in to search the vessel. A sniffer dog was brought in to sweep the ship, and a diver inspected the underwater hull as part of the operation. The Crown Iris is a Panama-flagged ship owned by Israeli company Mano Maritime. It had been due to depart Syros and sail to Haifa when the threat was called in to the captain directly by radio transmission. Passengers were brought ashore in an orderly evacuation, with blankets, chairs, and water distributed on the pier. Many were directed into a nearby building for shelter from strong winds, while others made their way into Ermoupoli. The ship had been scheduled to depart around 4:30 p.m., with the delay only becoming clear to passengers in the early evening during dinner service. The day before, Syros authorities had banned a planned pro-Palestinian protest against the ship's docking at Ermoupoli, citing risks to public order and port operations. A smaller demonstration did take place in the city center Tuesday morning, with passengers describing a heavy police presence that outnumbered protesters. The Coast Guard's Underwater Missions Unit was expected to carry out a second, more thorough inspection of the hull following the initial sweep. No further information on the search's findings had been made public at time of reporting. #Syros #CrownIris #Greece