Clashes Erupt in Athens Amid Commemoration of Deadly Train Crash
Clashes broke out in central Athens on Friday as unidentified individuals began throwing petrol bombs at riot police stationed in the yard of the Greek Parliament. This violence occurred against the backdrop of a large, peaceful protest rally commemorating the two-year anniversary of Greece's deadliest train crash, which resulted in the deaths of 57 people.
The trouble began when hooded assailants broke through the crowd of protesters to attack the police, who quickly responded with tear gas. What started as a localized clash in one corner of Syntagma Square rapidly spread to the adjacent streets, with petrol bombs landing on major thoroughfares like Vasilissis Sofias Avenue.
By 1:30 PM, most protesters had dispersed from the square in an effort to escape the escalating violence. There are conflicting reports regarding injuries, with some media sources indicating that three individuals experienced breathing difficulties due to the tear gas and were subsequently transported to a nearby hospital.
The mass mobilization was spearheaded by the relatives of the victims from the February 28, 2023 disaster in Tempe, where a passenger train collided head-on with an oncoming freight train. This devastating incident highlighted critical flaws in Greece's transportation infrastructure and has been a catalyst for public outrage aimed at the government's perceived inaction.
Critics argue that politicians must be held accountable for the systemic failures leading up to the crash, yet thus far, only a handful of rail officials have faced charges. The protest not only served as a tribute to the lives lost but also as an outcry for justice and reforms within the transportation system to prevent such tragedies in the future.
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