One of Greece’s most intense protests in recent years turned violent as hundreds of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets, marking the second anniversary of the country’s deadliest-ever train crash. The tragic incident occurred on February 28, 2023, when 57 people, most of them students, were killed in a collision between a passenger train and a freight train near the Tempi gorge in central Greece.
Unresolved Safety Gaps Fuel Anger
Despite two years having passed since the disaster, anger continues to grow as safety issues that contributed to the crash have yet to be addressed. A recent inquiry confirmed that the gaps in Greece’s aging railway infrastructure remain unresolved, leaving many questioning the government’s commitment to improving safety.
Violent Clashes and General Strikes
The protests, initially peaceful, escalated when a group of hooded youths threw petrol bombs at police and attempted to storm barricades in front of the Greek parliament. Riot police responded with tear gas and water cannons, resulting in clashes that spread to surrounding neighborhoods. Similar unrest was reported in Thessaloniki, where protesters released black balloons to honor the victims.
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More than 80 people were detained, and five others were injured during the unrest in Athens. Public services and businesses came to a standstill as workers, including air traffic controllers, seafarers, doctors, lawyers, and teachers, joined a 24-hour general strike in tribute to the victims.
Government’s Response and Growing Political Tensions
The ruling government, led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has been under heavy scrutiny for its handling of the aftermath of the crash. Although Mitsotakis acknowledged the “fatal human errors” and promised to modernize the railway system, critics argue that little has been done to address the safety deficiencies identified in the inquiry.
“Fatal human errors met with chronic state inadequacies,” Mitsotakis stated, but many are dissatisfied with the lack of concrete actions or accountability. Families of the victims and opposition parties have called for a parliamentary inquiry into potential political responsibility, with accusations of cover-ups and a failure to deliver justice.
Calls for Accountability and Justice
The protests, which have drawn widespread support from across Greece, are not just about the crash but also about the government’s perceived failure to provide justice. The judicial investigation remains unfinished, and no one has been convicted. Protesters have voiced their frustration, with many arguing that the government’s inaction has led to further preventable deaths.
Maria Karystianou, the head of a victims’ families’ association, expressed the collective anger: “The corrupt power in this country continues to let our children die.”
The Road Ahead: Continued Protests and Political Debate
As the protests continue, the Greek parliament is expected to debate the formation of a committee to investigate the political responsibility for the disaster. Families and activists have vowed to keep fighting for justice, demanding that those responsible be held accountable.
