Shop owner arrested in underage drinking case, girls hospitalized

Two teenage girls, both under Greece's legal drinking age of 18, were hospitalized in the provincial city Trikala, mid-northern Greece, on Saturday night after consuming alcohol purchased from a local grocery store.

The shop owner was arrested Sunday afternoon, according to state broadcaster ERT.

The drinking took place at the home of one of the girls, and they were taken to the hospital by the father of a friend after becoming ill, according to the report. 

Greek authorities have expressed a determination to clamp down on underage drinking, threatening tougher action against retailers as well as nightclubs. 

Over the past month or so, several incidents involving the hospitalization of minors following nights out at clubs have been reported. Some club owners have had their business licenses revoked.