Two toddlers left in Chania school bus for five hours prompt escort firing

Discovery of the children

Two children aged 4 and 5 were found locked inside a parked school bus in an inland village of Chania on Wednesday, 16 September 2026. The toddlers had spent approximately five hours inside the vehicle after failing to disembark with other students in the morning. The incident came to light when the mother of one of the children arrived at the public kindergarten to drop off lunch for the all-day program. Teachers informed her that the child had not attended class, prompting an immediate search across the area. Shortly before 13:00, the bus driver returned to the parked vehicle and discovered both toddlers inside.

Condition and bus route details

Witnesses and parents reported that the children were distressed, crying, and had wet their clothes after hours in confinement. Local parents noted that milder temperatures and rain on Wednesday prevented the vehicle interior from reaching dangerous heat levels. The morning route had started around 07:45, operated by KTEL Chania-Rethymno SA under contract for student transport. Both the driver and the bus escort were assigned to that specific route for the first time on Wednesday morning. The two toddlers were reportedly seated in the back rows when the other pupils disembarked.

KTEL Chania-Rethymno released an official statement explaining the immediate measures taken following the incident.

“The explanations provided by the school escort for the incident were not accepted by the company management, as, beyond the actual outcome of her actions, which primarily endangered human lives and secondarily harmed the reputation and credibility of the company, they violate clear guidelines for the correct and safe transport of students.”

Company dismissal and official response

KTEL Chania-Rethymno president Giannis Kapsanakis ordered the permanent dismissal of the bus escort. The company confirmed that a replacement escort would take over the bus route starting Thursday. According to company officials, the escort claimed that the two toddlers had fallen asleep in their seats and went unnoticed during disembarkation. Kapsanakis and the transport operator issued a formal apology to the families involved in the incident. The Chania Directorate of Primary Education confirmed it received informal notification and is evaluating administrative steps.

Giannis Kapsanakis confirmed the dismissal directly in remarks to local media.

“The escort was removed from her post, she was dismissed, and from tomorrow another woman will be in her place. She said that the children had fallen asleep and she did not see them. We are truly sorry for the incident and we apologize.”

Police investigation and parental reaction

Chania Police launched an investigation into the circumstances of the incident, seeking formal statements from both the driver and the dismissed escort. Parents of pupils at the school expressed anger over the failure of staff to check the vehicle before parking it for the day. Several families stated that their children are now fearful of boarding the bus again. Local authorities are reviewing protocols to prevent similar oversights on contracted school transport services across the region.