Supreme Administrative Court: Public Authorities Responsible for Fatal Accident on Northern Crete Motorway

The First Chamber of the Supreme Administrative Court (Council of State) has acknowledged responsibility of public authorities and the Region of Crete in a fatal accident that occurred in July 2011 on the new National Road from Chania to Sitia (Karteros area). In this tragic incident, an entire family—mother, father, and their two children aged 11 and 15—were killed. The court, presided over by Vice President Anna Kalogeropoulou and rapporteur Marina-Alexandra Tsakali (decision 918/2025), ruled that the failure to install and connect crash barriers in front of obstacles, such as sound walls, on the Northern Crete Motorway could objectively be considered a contributing cause of the fatal injuries sustained by passengers due to the vehicle veering off the road and colliding with the edge of the wall after overturning. Consequently, the judges emphasized that legal responsibility lies with the public authorities and the Region of Crete if all other legal conditions are met, entitling the deceased’s relatives to financial compensation for emotional distress. The four family members sought €780,000 in total for their emotional suffering caused by the loss of their loved ones. Both the Administrative Court of First Instance in Heraklion and the Administrative Court of Appeals in Chania had previously rejected the family’s claim for compensation. However, following the Council of State’s ruling, the case will now be remanded for a new trial.