Athens, Greece. Tens of thousands of people rallied in Athens and other cities on Saturday to mark the anniversary of Greece’s deadliest rail disaster, demanding justice ahead of a criminal trial set to begin next month.
Protests disrupt transport
Trains and ferries came to a halt and urban transport was disrupted as workers walked off the job to join demonstrations. Protesters laid flowers and held banners reading “Justice” outside parliament, where the names of the 57 victims, mostly students, have been spray-painted in red on the ground. Thousands of police officers were deployed in Athens, and demonstrations were also held abroad.
Tempi crash and aftermath
The victims died when a passenger train and a freight train collided head-on at Tempi in central Greece. The disaster has become a symbol of state failings, including safety lapses and years of neglect of the rail network. Last year’s mass protests were the biggest in years, fuelled by mistrust of politicians who are largely shielded from prosecution under Greek law.
Calls for justice and accountability
“We seek one thing: Justice,” said Pavlos Aslanidis, head of the victims’ relatives association, in a speech. Protesters called for reforms and political accountability, with one banner in Athens reading: “It wasn’t an accident, it was murder.”
Investigation and upcoming trial
A judicial investigation concluded this year and dozens of non-politicians will stand trial on March 23 on charges ranging from traffic disruption leading to deaths to negligent manslaughter and causing bodily harm. Probes have found that a project co-funded by the European Union to install safety systems was launched in 2014 but was years behind schedule in 2023. Relatives have also accused authorities of trying to cover up evidence.
What reforms do you think should be prioritised to improve rail safety and accountability in Greece?
