Protests Erupt in Greece on Second Anniversary of Deadly Train Crash
On Friday, a smaller group of protesters returned to the main square of Athens, following violent clashes between hooded individuals and riot police during a massive demonstration demanding justice on the second anniversary of Greece's deadliest train crash. Hundreds of thousands rallied in the Greek capital and dozens of other cities, chanting slogans such as 'I have no oxygen' and 'murderers,' which reflected their anger towards what they perceive as the state’s role in the disaster.
Christos Main, a 57-year-old musician at the Athens rally, expressed his outrage, stating, 'The government hasn't done anything to get justice. This wasn't an accident; it was murder.' Another protester, identified as Evi, mentioned her presence was not only to mourn the dead but also to highlight the government’s attempts to cover up the tragedy.
Maria Karystianou, whose daughter was a victim of the crash, addressed the crowd, emphasizing the pervasive corruption in the government that she believes is responsible for the pain inflicted upon families. 'Every day the monster of corrupt power appears before us,' she declared.
The tragic incident occurred on February 28, 2023, when a passenger train filled with students collided with a freight train near the Tempe gorge, resulting in the deaths of 57 people. An inquiry released on Thursday revealed that the safety gaps that led to the crash have not yet been addressed. A separate judicial investigation is still ongoing, and without any convictions related to the accident, public anger continues to swell.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis responded to the protests on Friday, assuring that his government is working to modernize Greece's railway network and enhance safety measures. 'Everyone's thoughts are with the families of the 57 victims, with the injured, but also with those who survived this accident, forever carrying the wound of its memory,' he stated.
Nevertheless, families of the victims and opposition parties accuse the government of mishandling the inquiry and shielding top officials from accountability. The government, however, maintains it is up to the judiciary to conduct the investigation.
During the protests, demonstrators spray-painted the names of the deceased in red on the ground in front of the parliament building. A speaker at the start of the protest read the names of all 57 victims to honor their memory.
The anniversary also coincided with a general strike that disrupted international and domestic flights, as unions rallied together in their cause. Many businesses shut down, and theaters cancelled performances.
A recent survey conducted by Pulse pollsters revealed that 82% of Greeks consider the train disaster one of the most crucial issues facing the country, while 66% expressed dissatisfaction with the ongoing investigations into the accident. As the nation grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, the call for justice continues to resonate loudly across the country.
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