Greece Crisis Sees Chaos Outside Banks As Panicked Savers Rush To Withdraw Money

It's Total Chaos Outside Greek Banks As Savers Rush To Withdraw Money

There were chaotic scenes in Greece today as pensioners rushed on banks to try to withdraw money, following the country's failure to pay back a €1.6billion debt.

Images showed elderly people pushing and shoving their way to the front of queues in a desperate effort to get at their savings.

Banks remained closed today although some were opened to permit elderly Greeks to withdraw a maximum of €120 for the week, according to AP.

Around 1,000 branches across the country opened to allowed pensioners in over a three-day period, starting on Wednesday.

While many Greeks are still able to use ATMs (although severely restricted), elderly people without bank cards were left without money, leading to many queuing outside banks from before dawn.

But further confusion and chaos ensued when some banks announced that they would serve all customers on an alphabetical basis.

Scenes Outside Greek Banks Ahead Of Referendum

The country is set to go to the polls on Sunday in a referendum to decide whether to accept a bailout deal after defaulting on a payment of £1.6billion.

Prime minister Alexis Tsipras, who is from the anti-austerity Syriza party, said that would be prepared to accept the bailout but with severe conditions.

Many have said that a ‘no’ vote in the referendum would effectively see Greece leave the eurozone.

While the country is left to ponder its fate, one man has come up with a cunning plan to rescue them.

In exchange for their financial support, Feeney promises to send those who help some traditional Greek produce.

The minimum €3 donation will earn the supporter a postcard of Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras, with €6 earning a feta and olive salad and €10 meriting a bottle of ouzo.

For those who want to give more, Feeney promises a Greek holiday for those who give €5,000.

Unfortunately he can’t offer much more than that, but suggests that a “super-rich kind-hearted person” could give €1million.

While the scheme may seem a little hare-brained, Feeney has actually already secured €803,000.

Unfortunately this isn’t even 1% of the total need to pay back Greece’s debt to the IMF.

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