Tens of thousands of people across Greece demonstrated in 110 cities, including 13 locations outside the country, on Sunday, seeking justice for the 57 individuals who perished in the nation’s most devastating rail accident in 2023.
The largest gatherings took place in Athens and Thessaloniki, each attracting around 30,000 participants. While the majority of the protests remained peaceful, there were instances where small groups clashed with police, throwing rocks and flares. Law enforcement responded with tear gas and flash-bang grenades, but these confrontations were brief.
In London, approximately 500 individuals held a demonstration near the Greek Embassy in Holland Park, alongside protests in cities such as Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Cologne, Helsinki, Nicosia, Reykjavik, and Valletta, Malta.
Relatives of the victims organized the protests, carrying signs and chanting a haunting phrase reportedly spoken by one victim who had the presence of mind to call the European emergency number 112 in the moment of crisis. Another sign in Thessaloniki raised accusations against the state, the conservative government, and the European Commission for their perceived negligence and responsibility in the tragedy.
Pavlos Aslanidis, a father who lost his son in the accident, expressed his sentiments in Thessaloniki, stating, “What is happening today is majestic. This is now a global fight. My son’s soul must be elated … I believe we will win. We have the state ranged against us, but we will win.”
Demonstrators accused the government of concealing vital evidence, conducting a non-transparent investigation, and attempting to shift the blame to an error made by a stationmaster.
The tragic incident took place on February 28, 2023, when a passenger train heading north collided with a freight train traveling south that was mistakenly routed onto the same track.
A mix of anger, sorrow over the loss of predominantly young lives, and a political outcry has fueled a variety of narratives regarding the accident. Many believe that at least 30 of the victims may have initially survived the collision only to succumb to flames reportedly ignited not by the collision itself but by hazardous chemicals carried by the freight train. Some have accused the government of attempting to conceal the presence of these chemicals.
A protracted investigation and delays in obtaining expert reports on the fire’s cause have postponed the trial date, with suggestions that proceedings could commence in the spring if no further setbacks occur. Some relatives of victims have also attributed delays to a handful of individuals among them calling for additional witness testimonies from survivors. It is estimated that around 50 to 60 railway and other officials will face trial.
Maria Karystianou, whose daughter was among those who died, characterized the situation as “the most mafia-like cover-up operation.” Karystianou has emerged as a prominent figure, organizing events, lobbying the European Parliament, and sharing her views on Greek politics through various media channels.
Initially, opposition political parties aimed to leverage the crash, which led to the resignation of the transport minister, to weaken the government. However, despite exposing significant safety deficiencies within the rail system, it had little impact on the two elections held in May and June 2023, where the ruling conservative party increased its majority. The opposition’s attempts to challenge the government with a no-confidence motion last year also fell flat, as the government easily maintained its position.
