Father blames municipality after luna park owner gets life sentence for teen's death

The father of a 19-year-old who tragically died in a luna park accident in August 2024 has voiced his anguish and anger, criticizing the justice system and local authorities. George Kampaïlis spoke on the "Smile and Again!" program, detailing the circumstances surrounding his son's death and the subsequent legal proceedings. A Mixed Jury Court in Giannitsa sentenced the owner of the luna park in Pefkochori, Halkidiki, to life imprisonment plus eight years, finding him guilty of the young man's death and the endangerment of another child.

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The real killer of the child is the Municipality of Kassandra.

Kampaïlis described the fatal ride as having been constructed in a workshop without proper standards or certifications. He revealed that the machinery had been stored outdoors for over a decade, deteriorating before being purchased cheaply and put into operation with only a cosmetic repaint. The father emphasized that the owner was convicted not only for his son's homicide but also for endangering his second child. He pointed out the failure of regulatory bodies, including the Ministry of Development and ESYD, despite an established framework for luna parks and certified inspectors, stating, "as proven by the trial, they do not function."

Expressing strong accusations, Kampaïlis blamed the Kassandra Municipality, declaring, "The real killer of the child is the Municipality of Kassandra." He asserted that the then-mayor should have immediately shut down the luna park after receiving a police letter, but failed to do so. The father also noted the council's decision to remove the mayor from office, suggesting it opens the door for numerous other cases. He highlighted that two legal cases are still ongoing: one with a hearing on December 16, 2026, and a second involving 11 defendants, including elected officials and municipal employees.

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It was covered for ten years or more on an estate near the sea and was rotting.

Kampaïlis made a passionate plea for greater child safety, stating, "Greek children must be protected. We lost our child. Another must not be lost." He urged the state to intervene to ensure the safety of amusement parks, playgrounds, and other children's gathering places, describing the current situation as one of "rotten iron, broken, rusty, everything." He decried the "major involvement of local government and the state," suggesting that local administration has become a mere formality, failing in its duty to protect citizens.

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Greek children must be protected. We lost our child. Another must not be lost.