13 Jul 2011

British tourist stabbed to death on Greek island

A British man has been killed and four others have been injured after being attacked by two Greek taxi drivers on the island of Zakynthos.

British tourist stabbed to death on Zakynthos (Getty)

The Foreign Office has issued a statement saying: “We can confirm that five British nationals were involved in a serious incident in Zakynthos, Greece.

“Sadly, this resulted in the death of one British national and the hospitalisation of four others, one in a serious condition. We are in regular contact with the families of those involved and are providing consular assisstance.”

Local police say two Greek drivers aged 21 and 25 have been arrested in the popular resort of Lagana, where the incident happened and are due to appear before a magistrate later on Wednesday. The 21-year-old is charged with murder and the 25 year old with complicity to commit murder.

A Greek news website has said the the dead man, who was reportedly 19, had been with friends outside a nightclub when an argument started with the taxi drivers. Some reports say one of the taxi drivers had complained of being bothered with a laser pen.

The knife allegedly used in the attack has been recovered in a coastal area near the town of Zakynthos.

“One of the taxi drivers confessed and showed police where the knife was,” a Greek official said.

Greece welcomes 15 million tourists each year, nearly one-fifth of them British.