- Residents of the wider area staged a protest this morning on the Heraklion-Moires provincial road near Athanatoi, specifically at the Skouloudis warehouses site.
- Demonstrators blocked the roadway by placing chairs across the asphalt and displaying Greek flags to escalate their opposition.
- Locals, led by Stavrakia community president and coordination committee head Zacharias Chiotakis, are strongly opposing the selection of the former Skouloudis warehouses for a temporary migrant reception structure.
- Residents cite serious issues regarding traffic connectivity, urban planning, the complete lack of a sewage network, and the hazardous traffic conditions along the Heraklion-Moires highway.
- Protesters are demanding clear answers on technical and administrative requirements while insisting that authorities find an alternative location.
esidents of the Athanatoi area have once again blocked the Heraklion–Mires provincial road, stepping up their opposition to plans for a temporary facility for migrants at the former Skouloudis warehouses.
The latest protest is taking place at the Skouloudis warehouses, where residents gathered on Sunday morning and placed chairs across the road, effectively stopping traffic. Greek flags were also displayed at the site.
The demonstrations have become a recurring feature of the dispute, with residents repeatedly calling for an alternative location. NeaKriti has reported several mobilizations and road blockades in the area in recent days.
Why Residents Oppose the Location
The former Skouloudis warehouses, near the 10th kilometer of the Heraklion–Mires road, were selected for a proposed temporary facility for the management and short-term accommodation of migrant arrivals.
Residents have consistently argued that the location presents practical problems that need to be resolved before such a facility can operate.
Among the issues they have raised are:
- Road access and traffic conditions on the Heraklion–Mires route
- The lack of a sewage network
- Planning and building issues concerning the property
- The general condition and capacity of the road serving the area
- The technical and administrative requirements that would have to be met before the facility could operate
They are asking authorities for clear answers on these issues and insisting that an alternative location be examined.
The Dispute Is Still Unresolved
The protests come after months of disagreement over the proposed location. Earlier this week, residents again blocked the Heraklion–Mires road, while previous demonstrations have also taken place at the site.
The issue has also been discussed at the Heraklion Municipal Council, with municipal services examining questions concerning planning, water and sewage infrastructure and the legal status of the property.
One important point for anyone following the story: the location has not necessarily become irreversible simply because work has begun at the property.
Mayor Alexis Kalokairinos told Kriti TV earlier this week that the works carried out so far do not constitute a fait accompli and that another location could still be considered if a more suitable site emerges.
For now, however, the residents of Athanatoi are making their position clear: they do not want the facility at the Skouloudis warehouses and continue to use road blockades to pressure authorities to reconsider the location.
Argophilia Takeaway
For travelers using the Heraklion–Mires road, the immediate issue is practical: another protest and road closure can affect traffic on an important route between Heraklion and southern Crete.
For the wider dispute, the location remains contested, with residents demanding answers about infrastructure, planning and road access while the authorities continue to examine the proposed site.
This story is still moving, and today’s blockade is another chapter, not a final decision.
Reporting source and featured image: NeaKriti.