The Chania Police Department is being "dismantled" by order of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

The prime minister's decision comes after a fatal traffic accident last Saturday in Souda, in which a 22-year-old man lost his life when his car collided with another vehicle driven by a 45-year-old man, who had previously tested positive on a breathalyzer test but was let go.

The driver at fault had told police who found him driving under the influence of alcohol that he did not have his driving license with him. In fact, however, it was later discovered that his licence had been taken away at an earlier time, for another drink-driving offence.

The police officers had not arrested the driver or taken him to the police station, but had given the car keys to the passenger who tested negative on the breathalyzer. The man recovered the keys and was later involved in the traffic accident in which the 22-year-old lost his life.

Referring to the police officers' handling of the traffic accident, the Minister of Citizen Protection Michalis Chrysochoidis stated on Monday, among others, that the law was not implemented and that the police officers would face all necessary sanctions.

According to sources, a police officer from Athens will be appointed as head of the General Police Directorate of Chania.