Greek People Rally for Justice for Train Accident Victims

Thousands of people took to the streets in Greece demanding justice for the victims of a train accident that occurred two years ago. The crowd gathered at Syntagma Square in Athens, spilling over into the surrounding streets, making it one of the largest protests in the capital.

Greek media reported that the protests for the Tempi train accident, which claimed the lives of 57 people, were the largest demonstration in the past 15 years. According to MEGA Television, the Greek Police (ELAS) announced that 700,000 people participated in the demonstrations.

“THEIR PROFITS OR OUR LIVES”

Protesters marched with banners reading “No Oxygen,” “Justice Now,” “Choke on Your Money,” and “Their Profits or Our Lives.” Public service workers, unions, labor federations, and various professional groups also supported the demonstrations. Participants emphasized the need for accountability for the accident and not letting the responsible parties go unpunished.

The protests were not limited to Athens, as they also saw widespread participation in Thessaloniki, Patra, and other major cities.

WHAT HAPPENED?

In the town of Tempi, in the region of Thessaly, Greece, a passenger train collided with a commercial train on February 23, 2023, resulting in the death of 57 people.

Following an investigation into the accident, a report released yesterday attributed the crash to human error, staff shortages, deteriorating railway infrastructure, and inadequate training.