Athens, Greece – Thousands of protesters gathered outside Greece’s parliament on Sunday, demanding justice for the 57 people who perished in the devastating Tempi train disaster nearly two years ago.
The tragic incident, which occurred in February 2023 between Athens and Thessaloniki, has sparked renewed outrage after the release of audio recordings from the emergency helpline, where victims trapped in the wreckage were heard desperately calling for help.
The recordings, which have now gone viral, feature harrowing cries from victims who were unable to escape the carnage.
One of the most poignant moments is when a victim, who later died in the crash, can be heard saying “Den echo oxygono” – meaning “I have no oxygen” – a phrase that has since become a symbol of the tragedy.
The phrase has been widely adopted by protesters, who are demanding accountability from the government and the companies responsible for the country’s rail safety.
The crash itself was a catastrophic event, as a freight train collided head-on with a passenger train, resulting in a fiery wreck that killed 57 people and injured dozens more.
Public outrage in the aftermath of the disaster focused on the state of Greece’s rail infrastructure, which has long been neglected due to the financial struggles the country has faced over the past decade.
Protesters believe that the crash was a direct consequence of years of underinvestment in the country’s rail system, as well as mismanagement and safety violations.
Despite the passage of two years, the investigation into the cause of the collision is still ongoing, with the exact circumstances surrounding the crash remaining unclear.
Families of the victims have raised concerns that authorities are attempting to cover up critical evidence related to the incident.
A new report, released alongside the recent audio recordings, suggests the possibility of a highly flammable chemical being present in the cargo of the freight train.
The chemical, if confirmed, could have contributed to a secondary explosion that killed up to thirty survivors of the initial collision. This revelation has further intensified public anger, with many calling for a full and transparent investigation.
The European Commission had already raised alarm bells last year, stating that Greece had violated EU railway safety laws.
Specifically, the European Commission pointed to Greece’s failure to comply with the Railway Safety Directive 2016/798, which mandates that EU member states ensure proper management of railway safety.
This includes the establishment of independent safety authorities, regular risk assessments, and the implementation of effective measures to prevent accidents like the Tempi disaster.
Sunday’s protest, which saw demonstrators of all ages, highlighted a deep sense of frustration and a demand for accountability.
Protesters carried banners and chanted slogans, calling for justice for the victims and a major overhaul of Greece’s rail system.
They are also urging the government to release all information related to the disaster and ensure that those responsible for the safety failures are held to account.
As the investigation continues, the families of the victims remain in limbo, still searching for answers and justice.
For them, the pain of losing loved ones is compounded by the belief that the tragedy could have been prevented if the country had paid more attention to the safety of its rail infrastructure.
The protests are a stark reminder that, two years after the disaster, the grief, anger, and demand for justice are far from over.