Tens of thousands of people took to the streets across Greece on Friday, marking the second anniversary of the Tempe train crash, The Week reported (Updated on 3 March at 11:30 a.m.)
The protests, which turned violent in central Athens, underscored widespread public anger over systemic failures and the government’s perceived inaction in addressing the causes of the tragedy.
In Athens, protesters clashed with riot police near Syntagma Square, hurling Molotov cocktails and smashing paving stones, while police responded with tear gas and stun grenades. Paramedics were seen carrying at least one injured protester away from the scene.
The crash on February 28, 2023, killed 57 people, including 11 railway employees, and left dozens injured. It exposed severe deficiencies in Greece’s transportation infrastructure and sparked demands for accountability. While rail officials had been charged, critics argued that politicians and higher authorities escaped responsibility.
The protests were part of a mass mobilisation led by the victims’ families and supported by labour unions, including the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE). Yannis Panagopoulos, president of GSEE, called for the full truth to be revealed.
The full truth must come to light, and those responsible, no matter how high their position, must be held accountable.
A general strike disrupted flights, rail services, ferries, and public transportation across the country. Many private businesses and public services closed, with storefronts displaying messages of solidarity for the victims’ families.
Demonstrations were held in over 300 cities and towns in Greece and abroad, with tens of thousands gathering in front of the Greek Parliament in Athens.
Political fallout
The protests have created a politically precarious moment for Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ conservative government. While his party maintains a strong lead in the polls, public dissatisfaction over the Tempe disaster has boosted support for anti-establishment parties. Opposition leaders are considering a censure motion against the government.
Mitsotakis acknowledged the public’s grief and demand for truth, pledging to continue efforts to improve rail safety.
Every Greek participates in this mourning, united under the common demand for truth.
A long-awaited investigative report released on Thursday blamed human error, outdated infrastructure, and systemic failures for the crash. The collision occurred on a single rail route between Athens and Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, highlighting the country’s reliance on an aging and underfunded railway system.
The aftermath of the crash was marked by chaos, with survivors describing tumbling carriages, fires, and shattered windows. The recovery and identification of victims were gruesome, as many bodies were severely burned or dismembered. Funerals were held across the country, with many broadcast live, turning private grief into a shared national experience.
