Two students suffered burns and another sustained a leg injury after a group armed with incendiary devices and wooden clubs attacked a meeting at the University of Athens

Three people were injured on Wednesday morning (4 November) when more than 50 helmeted individuals stormed a student meeting at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (EKPA), attacking those present with Molotov cocktails, wooden clubs and an axe.

The violence erupted inside the university’s Mathematics Department on the Zografou campus, where students from different political groups had gathered for a meeting.

According to initial reports, one person suffered a leg injury after being struck with an axe, while two others sustained minor burns from Molotov cocktails. All three were taken to Gennimatas Hospital in Athens for treatment.

‘They chased a first-year student and threw a Molotov cocktail at him’

Students who witnessed the attack described chaotic scenes as the assailants entered the building and began targeting those attending the meeting.

A female student from the Physics Department, which shares the same building as Mathematics, said one first-year student had been struck in the face by a Molotov cocktail, while another had been attacked with an axe.

“Some people came in and threw Molotov cocktails, hitting a first-year student in the face. They also came with an axe and struck another student, cutting open his leg. Fortunately, they did not hit him properly, because he could have lost his leg,” she said.

She explained that the violence unfolded in the same corridor where she attends classes, while a student meeting was taking place nearby.

“From what I understand, it had something to do with organising an occupation ahead of the Polytechnic anniversary,” she added.

Another eyewitness told protothema.gr that the attackers had pursued a first-year student before throwing an incendiary device at him.

“They chased a first-year student and threw a Molotov cocktail at him. People grabbed a fire extinguisher to help prevent him from being burned,” the witness said.

A second female witness showed footage of a student’s jacket, which had been almost completely destroyed by fire.

“They threw a Molotov cocktail at a fellow student of ours,” she said, displaying the charred garment.

Student meeting focused on university expulsions

University sources said the meeting had been convened to discuss the removal of students from university registers, an issue that has prompted debate and protests across Greek higher education.

The gathering was attended by students affiliated with several political groups, although the identities and affiliations of those responsible for the attack have not been established.

Investigators are also examining how such a large group managed to enter the university grounds.

According to preliminary assessments, the attackers may have gained access through openings in the campus perimeter. The nearest such access point is approximately 100 metres from the Mathematics Department.

Vehicle access to the campus has already been restricted, raising further questions about how the group approached the building.

Police investigate as university authorities seek to identify attackers

The university administration is maintaining close contact with police as efforts continue to identify and locate those responsible.

The circumstances surrounding the violence, including whether the attack was linked to disagreements between student political groups or plans for demonstrations ahead of the anniversary of the 1973 Athens Polytechnic uprising, remain under investigation.

No arrests have been confirmed in the information currently available.