In Athens, a deputy minister in Greece has decided to step down following serious allegations regarding the manipulation of evidence at the scene of a devastating rail accident that resulted in the deaths of 57 individuals. This incident occurred during a head-on collision between two trains earlier this year.

Christos Triantopoulos, who held the position of deputy minister for civil protection, announced his resignation after accusations surfaced from the leading opposition party, suggesting that he was involved in unauthorized modifications at the disaster site. He has firmly rejected these claims, asserting that his actions were intended to support the families affected by the tragedy.

The catastrophic event unfolded near Tempe in northern Greece, where a passenger train was mistakenly directed onto a line that was occupied by an approaching freight train. In the wake of the crash, Triantopoulos stated that his visit to the scene was part of the government’s initiative to provide aid to the victims’ families.

He indicated that his resignation was a gesture aimed at allowing the government to move forward, expressing that he had been unjustly targeted by opposition voices. The investigation into the collision has faced significant delays, which has further fueled criticism of the ruling conservative administration as the second anniversary of the incident approaches on February 28. This tragedy has not only sparked widespread public protests but has also led to intense political debates, with relatives of the victims seeking clarity regarding the freight train’s cargo. There are ongoing concerns that it may have included illegal, highly flammable substances.