After a devastating rail crash that killed 43 people in Greece, citizens have taken to the streets in protest, with many feeling that the accident could have been prevented. The maintenance company responsible for Greece’s railways, Hellenic Train, has been the site of violent clashes between rioters and police in Athens, and protests have also been held in Thessaloniki and Larissa, the city near where the disaster occurred. In response, the government has pledged to conduct an independent investigation to ensure justice is served.
The tragedy has caused the country to declare three days of national mourning. A passenger train carrying mostly students collided head-on with a freight train, causing the front carriages to burst into flames and leaving them mostly destroyed. The Prime Minister has attributed the cause of the accident to “tragic human error,” and a station master in Larissa has been charged with manslaughter by negligence, though he denies any wrongdoing and claims the crash was due to a technical fault.
Members of the rail union believe that safety systems were not functioning correctly despite repeated warnings over many years, and they plan to strike in protest and mourning, accusing the government of neglecting the railway system. The union stated that the tragic outcome was a result of years of disrespect towards Greece’s railways by the government. Transport Minister Kostas Karamanlis has resigned, acknowledging the government’s failure to fix the railway system’s long-standing issues.
Protesters, however, have voiced concerns that the official investigation may not fully address any systemic failures and may cover up any faults discovered. A banner was hung outside a hospital where the victims of the crash were being brought, warning against such a cover-up.
