The man had been waiting for the traffic light to change when the tree collapsed on August 18, 2022. According to the family’s lawyer, Vangelis Stratoudakis, the court attributed full responsibility for the tragedy to the Municipality of Heraklion, as reported by cretalive.gr.
Regarding the compensation amounts, the court awarded €100,000 to Panagiotis’s widow, Stavroula, €60,000 to each of his three children, €40,000 to his father, €30,000 to each of his two siblings, and €5,000 to his mother-in-law. Interest has already accrued to €85,000. The ruling holds the Municipality of Heraklion accountable.
The Deadly Tree: A €385,000 Compensation Awarded to the Family of the Late Panagiotis
The man’s death was instantaneous when the 15-meter, 15-ton pine tree—more than 110 years old—collapsed on top of him. According to cretalive.gr, the tree had developed a significant lean, extending across both traffic lanes due to uneven branch growth toward Demokratias Avenue, which inevitably shifted its center of gravity. Additionally, its roots had lifted the sidewalk tiles.
Tragically, as described, there were no warning signs—no movement or sound—that could have alerted Panagiotis Mitrelos to the impending collapse, giving him no chance to react and escape.
His family sought justice and accountability for his death. They appointed a forestry expert to determine the causes of the collapse. This specialist was also included among the technical advisors appointed by the Heraklion Prosecutor’s Office to investigate the tragic incident.
Panagiotis Mitrelos was well-loved within his local community. He had been married to his wife, Stavroula, for 27 years until the tragic accident separated them, and they had three children together.
The emotional pain was unbearable for his widow, who struggled to remain strong for their children while experiencing serious health repercussions. Her psychological collapse and the relentless grief over losing her husband were highlighted in the lawsuit filed in April 2023.
A Dedicated Family Man
After the accident, Stavroula posted on Facebook: “Unfair, so unfair and sudden. Thirty years together, with three children, and I lost you in a way I can’t believe. Rest in peace, my love.”
His son, Christos, described his father as a hardworking family man who “ran from morning till night to take care of everyone. He was a kind-hearted person; everyone has only good things to say about him.”
“This was a case of gross negligence by the Municipality. It is unfair for a family man to lose his life in such a way. What happened is inconceivable. What if he had one of his children on the motorbike with him?” his brother-in-law told protothema.gr.
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