The monument was built in September 1990 by the sculptor Antonia Papatzanaki, in memory of the victims of the sinking of the FCC Heraclion
is not an exaggeration to say that Chania lived yesterday one of Tash dramatikoteras time of WWII … newspaper noted the time in first page , on 9 December 1966 , wanting to show the size of the naval tragedy.
A ship of death changed the ferry “Heraklion ” (owned by brothers Typaldou ) during his journey on December 8, 1966 from Chania to Piraeus. Within a few minutes dragged on the seabed about 250 people , immersing Chania in mourning . The shocking tragedy exetylichthi in islet Falkonera.
With these words, we first describe the news , followed by analysis : The ‘ Heraklion ‘ departed in the afternoon Thursday, December 8 from Chania , with weather conditions not very favorable ( wind speed 5.4 Beaufort ) . The weather deteriorated during the course towards Piraeus and were miserable in the Falconer . There the vessel was involved in a violent storm . Fierce winds blew at 8 Beaufort while huge waves reached as the deck . Because of rough seas apespasthi the right door by which they enter the cars and the ship began to flooded waters. The vessel immediately radioed risk : SOS – Heraklion – cave , indicating its position, 36.52 north and 24.08 east . Follow second signal , in which he said the word ” cave ” and since then the wireless board esigise . It became clear that maritime tragedy in exelisseto syntarassomeno of Aegean seas.
Listening to the news shocked the residents of Chania : Once this became known , agonized appeals anaferomenai questions for the board tychin addressed in any direction . Beyond all description are the dramatikai tents pain and crash that took place in front of Chania Port Authority and the agency ‘s ferry. The relatives of the unfortunate passengers , with sadness in their faces painted by the unexpected loss of loved ones trying to find some comfort in the thought that among the castaways will anefriskomenon was theirs. Everyone expected … but few are those who felt this joy . The survivors are few . Together with them , and everyone mourn the residents of the county, the whole Greece , by the loss of so many human souls.
Overall that fateful night 240 people drowned and 46 were able to be saved. Forty-two years later, the wounds opened that fateful night have – mostly – healed , but the memories remain vivid and testify that the overwhelming naval tragedy , which gave rise to the creation of ANEK .
Greek
GPS: 35.518908, 24.014318