The next day the village sent a delegation to the Italian commander in Arta, to explain what had happened, and ask permission to return to their village. The Dormition of the Virgin Mary was on the 15th and they hoped to be able to celebrate in peace. The festivities went ahead as planned, but early in the morning of the 16th the village was surrounded by 100 German soldiers. They had coffee and, when two flares lit the morning sky, they entered the village. They killed 317 men, women, and children and burned all the houses. Their loot included cows, carpets, jewellery etc. At 1pm they had lunch (rice and compote) and returned to their barracks.