A crew engaged in replacing old electricity meters with digital meters was forced to abandon work in the village of Zoniana, in Crete, after residents allegedly threatened technicians, damaged their vehicle and removed equipment during an incident on Monday.
According to reports, the rear and side windows of the workers’ vehicle, belonging to electricity network maintenance company HEDNO, were broken in the incident.
One technician told state broadcaster ERT that a group of seven to eight people approached the two-member crew, with one allegedly carrying a knife. The group reportedly took an official tablet and a recently removed electricity meter before ordering the technicians to leave.
The residents, who were said to range in age from their mid-20s to mid-30s, were angry about power outages in the area.
The Rethymno Technicians’ Union condemned the incident, calling for measures to protect workers and ensure the safe completion of their duties.
