A gunman, believed to be a former employee, shot and killed three people at a shipping company’s workplace outside Athens, Greece.
According to Greek media, the gunman killed two men and a woman before fatally shooting himself.
The suspect was discovered dead next to a hunting gun thought to have been used in the shooting.
Police believe the gunman was a former employee who had recently been fired. European Product Carriers’ owner was among those killed.
The incident, which sparked a hostage scenario, occurred in Glyfada, approximately 12 kilometres (7 miles) south of Athens.
The armed man broke inside the building, shot at employees, and then killed two men and a woman before barricading himself in.
A witness, identified as a company worker, told journalists outside the building: “I heard the gunshots; I heard the first two. I headed towards the stairs to see what was happening. I saw two guys coming down; they said, ‘It’s Aris with a gun; he’s shooting.’
“Of course, I dashed outside, towards the garden, and made my way out through the back door of the garage.”
Police blocked off a vast area around the building, and the elite counter-terrorism squad EKAM, together with fire engines and ambulances, were stationed outside.
As the situation persisted, the gunman remained besieged on the building’s second level.
A police negotiator attempted to resolve the situation for several hours before the man turned the gun on himself.
The shooter was recognised as a 70-year-old Egyptian national.
Shootings, aside from gang-related activities, are uncommon in Greece, which has tight gun possession restrictions.
Many Greek and foreign shipping businesses have offices in Glyfada, a beach town located south of Athens.
European Product Carriers has an average fleet of 35 vessels, which includes oil tankers.
