Two years ago, 57 people died in a train accident in Greece. Hundreds of thousands have reminded of this nationwide today. Towards the end of the event there were riots in Athens. The police used tear gas.
Hundreds of thousands of people in Greece thought the victims of the most difficult train accident in the country's history two years ago today. In addition to memorial events, there were also strikes and demonstrations. According to police, around 170,000 people gathered in the capital Athens alone, and there were 300,000 across the country.
Towards the end of the meeting in Athens, fire sets flew towards the special units of the police, which were positioned around the parliament. There were also riots in Thessaloniki.
During the protests on Central Syntagma-Platz, the police take action against the rioters.
The officials used tear gas. Many peaceful demonstrators fled. According to the police, the rioters in Athens should be 500 to 700 autonomous. The so -called black block is known for capers demonstrations in order to then get together with the police.
According to Greek media that refer to the police, there were more than 50 arrest. More than 125 people were taken into custody. 29 people, including five police officers, were injured and treated in hospitals, the news channel Ertnews reported, citing emergency services. The injuries are burns and respiratory problems, nobody was in mortal danger, it said.
57 people died during train accident
The predominantly peaceful nationwide strikes and demonstrations were aimed at the government: People demand information on the circumstances of the serious train accident in tempos two years ago.
On February 28, 2023, shortly before midnight, a passenger train on the way from Athens to Thessaloniki was bounced down with a freight train – 57 people died. The accident in Tempi near the central Greek city of Larissa was officially attributed to human failure and serious structural defects in the Greek railway.
According to a public report, the freight train also invited “illegal” freight – including explosive chemical substances that got on fire in collision.
There are riots in front of the parliament in Athens.
40 suspects charged
Immediately after the accident, there had been mass protests against the government – and two years later, the dissatisfaction with the processing is still great. According to surveys, most people in Greece are convinced that the authorities have covered up important evidence after the accident and that the investigation has drawn the length.
The Greek judiciary has now charged 40 suspects, including the local station leader. However, the process will begin at the end of the year.
The unions had also called for a general strike for Friday. Authorities, schools and many shops in Greece remained closed on the second anniversary of the accident, and flight, rail and ferry traffic were also largely paralyzed.
