Bomb Threat Forces Cruise Ship Evacuation And Delays Departure From Greece

More than 1,500 passengers and crew were caught up in a major security operation in Greece after a bomb threat forced the evacuation of a cruise ship and delayed its departure for several hours.

The Israeli-operated Crown Iris was preparing to leave the island of Syros on Tuesday, 3rd November 2026, when authorities received a warning that an explosive device had allegedly been attached to the vessel’s hull.

The threat prompted an extensive search involving Greek port authorities, specialist bomb disposal personnel, an explosives detection dog and divers examining the ship underwater.

All 940 passengers and 597 crew members were evacuated while the checks took place.

No explosives or suspicious objects were discovered, and those on board were subsequently allowed to return to the ship.

Passengers Evacuated During Security Searches

Crown Iris had been scheduled to depart Syros at approximately 5pm, heading back to Haifa, Israel, following a seven-night Greek Islands cruise.

However, the warning triggered an immediate security response, with authorities inspecting both the ship’s interior and its underwater structure.

According to Greek authorities, an unidentified individual had claimed that an explosive device was attached to the hull.

The initial investigation involved Coast Guard personnel, an explosives detection dog and a private diver, with a specialist unit from the Hellenic Coast Guard’s Underwater Operations Unit called in to carry out further inspections.

Passengers and crew were evacuated as a precaution, with local authorities making municipal facilities available to accommodate those displaced during the operation.

Despite the initial searches finding nothing suspicious, Crown Iris remained in port beyond its scheduled departure time while security checks continued.

The additional underwater inspection was expected to begin at approximately 9.30pm local time.

Later reports confirmed that a comprehensive search had found no suspicious objects and that passengers and crew had been permitted to reboard.

The vessel was subsequently expected to resume its return journey to Israel, although its precise departure time had not been confirmed in the available reports.

The incident occurred towards the end of a round-trip voyage that departed Haifa on 29th October, with calls at Kos, Piraeus and Nafplio before reaching Syros.

Threat Follows Dispute Over Planned Protest

The security scare came just one day after Greek authorities restricted a planned demonstration against Crown Iris’s arrival in Syros.

The Syros Anti-War Initiative had intended to organise a protest along the Ermoupoli waterfront on Tuesday morning, coinciding with the ship’s scheduled arrival.

However, the Hellenic Coast Guard prohibited the demonstration from taking place at its proposed waterfront location, citing concerns about public safety.

Authorities warned that the gathering could create risks to people, property and the surrounding area’s economic activity.

Organisers were instead permitted to demonstrate at an alternative location away from the port.

It remains unclear whether the protest subsequently took place, and there is no confirmed connection between the proposed demonstration and the bomb threat.

Crown Iris has faced opposition during several visits to Greek ports since 2025, with demonstrations reported in destinations including Piraeus, Rhodes and Crete.

Security concerns have also led to additional precautions during previous calls.

On 14th October 2026, authorities imposed restrictions on road and marine traffic during the vessel’s visit to Argostoli to help protect the ship and those on board.

In June 2026, a 37-year-old Palestinian man was arrested in Crete over suspected involvement in a possible plot targeting the vessel. The arrest followed protests during an earlier call at Piraeus.

The cruise ship is operated by Mano Cruise, an Israeli company offering Mediterranean voyages from Haifa.

Crown Iris is the operator’s only cruise ship and has accommodation for up to 2,000 passengers, although just 940 guests were travelling during the affected sailing.

The vessel operates itineraries lasting between three and eleven nights, visiting destinations across Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Malta and the wider eastern Mediterranean.

While the latest threat caused a lengthy disruption to the ship’s itinerary, the completed security searches found no evidence of an explosive device.