An alarming incident occurred at the port of Limenas on the Greek island of Thasos, where staff from a Greek National Emergency Medical Service (EKAB) ambulance were asked to pay the standard vehicle ferry fare before boarding — despite being engaged in an urgent patient transfer. According to a formal complaint filed by the EKAB Employees’ Union of the 6th Regional Unit (Kavala), the ambulance was transporting a critically ill patient from the Prinos Health Center on Thasos to the General Hospital of Kavala — a routine emergency transfer that typically uses the ferry route to Keramoti.
Ferry Staff Demanded Payment Despite Emergency Status
Although the EKAB crew clearly identified themselves as performing an official, life-saving mission, ferry company personnel insisted on full payment for the ambulance’s passage. They reportedly refused boarding unless the fee was settled immediately — even though EKAB vehicles are legally exempt from such charges during emergency operations.
Time Pressure Led to Temporary Compliance — Then Refusal
To avoid critical delays, an official ticket was issued for the ambulance. However, the crew refused to pay, reiterating that EKAB is a public service operating under urgent medical mandate. Despite their explanations, ferry staff recorded the rescuers’ personal details, indicating plans to pursue collection of the fee later — all while the ambulance stood idle during a time-sensitive mission.
Union Condemns ‘Unacceptable Obstruction’
The union described the episode — which took place on June 22, 2026 — as unprecedented and wholly unacceptable. It stressed that in 2026, no emergency medical vehicle should face bureaucratic or financial barriers when responding to life-threatening situations. Every minute counts in such cases, and human life cannot be subject to ticketing procedures or toll payments.
EKAB serves as a cornerstone of Greece’s National Healthcare System. Its personnel must be able to carry out missions without obstruction — and certainly not subjected to degrading administrative demands during emergencies. The union has urgently called on the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, the Ministry of Health, and the relevant port and ferry authorities to investigate and ensure such incidents never recur.