It occurred as a reaction by armed Muslim irregular groups (Bashi-bazouks) to the offer to the Christian community of a series of civil rights by foreign powers.

[1][2] As a result of failed Ottoman policies and oppressive measures against the local Christians, a number of uprisings broke out on Crete demanding union with Greece.

Through British mediation the Ottoman sultan finally made a number of reformist concessions which were incorporated in an agreement known as the Pact of Halepa, signed on 25 October 1878.

However, in 1889 the Ottoman authorities violated this pact, provoking another insurrection which was put down while the European powers showed no interest in intervention.

The Admirals' Council of this force decided to place the customs houses on Crete under international control so that it could exact an export duty, which would fund the general welfare of the island.

Thus, a group from the British force, part of the international security units, ordered the Ottomans to surrender the custom house in Candia, (now Heraklion), on September 6 [O.S.

In support of the beleaguered British troops caught in a crossfire from every direction, Lt John Marshall of HMS Hazard did not wait for instruction and began to shell the town.

[3] The main street where the incidents occurred was later named "Martyrs of 25th August" (the old style calendar date of the event) to honor the victims of the massacre.