Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets across Greece on Friday, marking the second anniversary of the country’s worst train disaster. The demonstrators, demanding justice for the victims, brought cities to a standstill as striking workers shut down air, sea, and rail transport.
The tragic collision between a passenger train and a freight train on February 28, 2023, near the Tempi gorge in central Greece, claimed 57 lives, many of whom were students. Two years later, a recent inquiry revealed that the safety lapses responsible for the crash remain unaddressed, while the judicial investigation drags on with no convictions.
Nationwide Strike and Protests
The protests, spanning dozens of cities, saw thousands of people gather in Athens’ Syntagma Square, where police in riot gear stood by. Signs reading “Government of Murderers” reflected growing public frustration with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ administration, which has been accused of failing to hold officials accountable.
Workers from various sectors, including air traffic controllers, seafarers, teachers, and doctors, participated in a 24-hour general strike to honor the victims. All domestic and international flights were grounded, businesses shut their doors, and theaters canceled performances.
A Nation’s Grief and Fury
Protesters spray-painted the names of the victims in red outside parliament, while students carried black balloons and wore black clothing as a symbol of mourning. Some held placards with the words “I have no oxygen,” echoing the final words of a victim’s call to emergency services on the night of the crash.
One demonstrator, 57-year-old musician Christos Main, called the tragedy “murder, not an accident.” Another protester, Evi, accused the government of attempting to cover up the truth.
Parents also joined the movement, fearing for their children’s safety. “We’re here because we’re parents… tomorrow, it might be our children,” said Litsa, a 45-year-old nurse.
Government Response and Growing Discontent
In a Facebook post on Friday, Mitsotakis acknowledged the failure of the country’s railway system, pledging to modernize and improve its safety. “That night, we saw the ugliest face of our country,” he wrote, blaming human errors and long-standing state inefficiencies.
However, opposition parties claim the government is hiding evidence and failing to take responsibility. A parliamentary debate is expected next week to discuss launching an inquiry into political accountability.
According to a recent Pulse poll, 82% of Greeks consider the train disaster one of the country’s most pressing issues, while 66% are dissatisfied with the ongoing investigation.
Calls for Accountability
The Greek public’s trust in government institutions has been low since the 2009-2018 financial crisis, which led to severe budget cuts and underfunding of public services. The train tragedy has only deepened this mistrust, with many seeing it as another example of government negligence.
As the protests rage on, a familiar message reverberates through the streets—“Text me when you get there”—the final words sent by many victims’ families before the fatal crash. It is both a tribute to the lost lives and a demand for justice that Greece cannot ignore.
