Microsoft awaiting police findings on attack in Greece

Microsoft’s headquarters building in Greece was attacked this morning by people carrying pistols and a machine gun who drove a van into the building and then set the vehicle on fire. No one was hurt.

Reuters puts the incident in the context of the broader unrest in the country: “Arson attacks against banks, foreign firms and local politicians have become more frequent in Greece in recent years as the country battles soaring unemployment and struggles through a recession deepened by austerity policies imposed by foreign lenders.”

See the Guardian video above for more from the scene.

Microsoft issued this statement about the attack …

“Early in the morning of Wednesday, June 27, the Microsoft building in Athens, Greece was attacked by assailants who drove a van through the entrance to the building, ushered the two security personnel out of the building and then set the van on fire. Our priority is our people and we are grateful that no one was injured and that all employees are safe. We are awaiting the completion of the police investigation in order to acquire a fuller view of the situation.”

Microsoft has three Global Security Center operations around the world where it monitors these types of incidents, using high-tech networking, surveillance and communications equipment. See our video from March inside the Redmond center.

  • Guest

    I’m glad that no persons were harmed in this senseless attack on an office building. Keep in mind that this is the same continent that believes it has the authority to impose a $1 billion fine on Microsoft when it can’t even keep its own citizens from destroying their own cities.

  • guest

    Economic turmoil can have unintended consequences. Don’t think it couldn’t happen here.

    • Guest

      It couldn’t. Our rioters break windows and whine about their student loans. They can’t do any real damage nor would they fight any humans.

      • guest

        Your knowledge of US history is sorely lacking.

        • Guest

          Seattle history, you mean. Athenian riots would not happen in Seattle. We simply don’t care enough to do anything more destructive than vandalizing part of a Niketown.