Human error and aging infrastructure cited in Greece’s deadliest train disaster.
A new report into Greece’s deadliest train crash, which killed 57 people two years ago, has revealed that human error and outdated infrastructure were the primary causes of the tragedy.
Released Thursday, the report examines the February 28, 2023 crash near Tempi, about 400 kilometers north of Athens. A routing mistake by a station master sent a passenger train directly into the path of an oncoming freight train, resulting in the deaths of 46 passengers and 11 staff members.
The nearly 180-page report also highlights several systemic failures, including inadequate staff training, chronic staff shortages, and a lack of modern safety systems. The Greek railway system, it noted, had not been updated due to financial constraints during the country’s 2010-2018 financial crisis.
Christos Papadimitriou, Director of the Hellenic Air and Rail Safety Investigation Authority, emphasized that the accident was not a random event but rather a culmination of multiple factors. He stated that the absence of modern safety technology made the collision inevitable.
The report pointed out that with up-to-date infrastructure and safety protocols, the tragedy could have been avoided.
In response to the findings, the Greek government acknowledged the critical gaps in staffing and funding but denied claims from opposition parties that it had hindered the investigation.
As the second anniversary of the crash approaches, Greece is preparing for a general strike and mass protests. Thousands of police officers have been deployed to Athens to manage expected disruptions to public services and businesses.
The release of the report has reignited public outrage, with many demanding urgent reforms to overhaul the Greek railway system and improve safety measures to prevent future tragedies.