Tens of thousands of people gathered in cities across Greece to commemorate the 57 victims of the 2023 train crash, the deadliest rail disaster in the country’s history. Demonstrators also called for swift justice and accountability for those responsible.
Around 4,000 police officers were deployed as many people took to the streets on February 28, including in the Greek capital. Railway, maritime, and theatre unions were among the main organisers, marking the third anniversary of one of the most catastrophic transport disasters in Greek history.
Athens was the focal point of the mass demonstrations, where participants laid flowers and read out the names of the victims. Many carried banners demanding the truth and criticising authorities over delays in the investigation and longstanding railway safety failures.
The tragedy occurred on February 28, 2023, when a passenger train collided head-on with a freight train near the Tempi Pass, killing mostly young passengers, including students. The passenger train had been mistakenly directed onto the wrong track by a stationmaster in Larissa.
The disaster exposed serious systemic failures in Greece’s railway safety system. The trial is scheduled to begin on March 23, with 36 people expected to appear in court.
