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Tens of Thousands Protest in Athens Over 2023 Train Crash Tragedy
Nationwide Protests Demand Justice for Victims
Tens of thousands of people gathered outside the Greek parliament in Athens on Sunday, demanding justice for the 57 individuals who lost their lives nearly two years ago in the country’s worst railway disaster. Protesters held banners reading “We won’t forget” and “I have no oxygen,” referencing the last words of a woman heard in a distress call published last week.
“We are here and we will not stop … until those responsible are held accountable,” said Maria Karistianou, whose 20-year-old daughter died in the crash.
Clashes Amid Largely Peaceful Demonstrations
Though the demonstration was predominantly peaceful, brief clashes broke out between police and some protesters. Similar protests were held in other cities across Greece, marking one of the largest waves of public demonstrations in recent years.
The 2023 Train Crash and Ongoing Investigation
The crash occurred on February 28, 2023, when a freight train collided head-on with a passenger train near midnight on the line connecting Athens and Thessaloniki. Many of the passengers were students.
The disaster sparked widespread protests, as citizens accused the government of neglecting the rail network, particularly after years of financial austerity.
Despite two years of investigation, the exact cause of death for many victims remains undetermined. Families allege evidence has been covered up, an accusation the government denies.
Calls for Accountability and Justice
“No one has been punished, no one is in prison,” said Ilias Papangelis, who lost his 18-year-old daughter in the crash. Many protesters chanted “Murderers” during the demonstration.
The re-election of Greece’s center-right government has not quelled the anger. The recent nomination of Constantine Tassoulas as parliament president has further inflamed emotions, as victims’ families claim he failed to investigate political responsibility for the tragedy.
Questions Over the Cause of the Crash
A report by independent experts hired by families detailed how the crash led to a massive fireball. However, the cause of the fireball remains unclear.
“We don’t know what caused the explosion, what the (freight) train was carrying,” said Nikos Plakias, who lost two daughters and a niece in the disaster. “We will always have questions … And if we need to reach the European courts, we will.”
A Slow Path to Rail Reform
The Greek government has pledged to reform the rail system, but progress has been criticized as slow by the European Commission. For families and citizens, the promise of reform does little to address the absence of accountability and justice for those lost in the tragedy.
“Tens of Thousands Protest in Athens Over 2023 Train Crash Tragedy” “Tens of Thousands Protest in Athens Over 2023 Train Crash Tragedy” “Tens of Thousands Protest in Athens Over 2023 Train Crash Tragedy” “Tens of Thousands Protest in Athens Over 2023 Train Crash Tragedy”