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Sunday, Mar 02, 2025
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Clashes Erupt in Athens as Protesters Mark Second Anniversary of Train Disaster
Demonstrations honoring victims of Greece's deadliest rail crash escalate into violence, with significant disruptions nationwide.
Protests outside the Greek parliament in Athens turned violent on February 28, 2025, as demonstrators commemorated the second anniversary of the Tempe rail disaster, which resulted in the deaths of 57 individuals.
Initially marked by a peaceful rally, the event devolved into clashes between protesters and police, with demonstrators throwing petrol bombs and rocks at law enforcement officers.
In response, police deployed tear gas to disperse the crowds.
The demonstrations gathered tens of thousands of participants, reported to be the largest protests in Greece in over a decade.
Critics of the government have expressed frustration over perceived inaction regarding accountability for the tragic accident.
To date, only railway officials have faced criminal charges, despite calls for broader accountability from political leaders.
The tragic accident occurred in Tempe on February 28, 2023, when a passenger train collided head-on with a freight train, marking Greece's worst railway accident in history.
In the wake of the disaster, families of the victims have continued to demand transparency and accountability.
Yannis Panagopoulos, president of the General Confederation of Greek Workers, emphasized the necessity of holding all responsible parties accountable, regardless of their position.
The impact of the protests extended beyond demonstrations, leading to significant disruptions across the country.
Flights and rail services were canceled, and ferry operations ceased, creating widespread difficulties for commuters.
Public transportation faced severe interruptions, and many businesses in Athens remained closed, displaying messages of solidarity with the victims' families.
Protesters voiced their grievances with chants such as "You count profits.
We count lives" while carrying black balloons and anti-government banners.
Costas Reintzopoulos, a municipal worker, highlighted that the rail crash underscored ongoing demands for improved safety measures in the workplace, noting that eleven of the deceased were railway employees.
In anticipation of the protests, as many as 5,000 police officers were deployed to manage the crowds.
Memorial services are scheduled to be held in Orthodox churches across Athens to honor the victims, many of whom were university students returning from a holiday weekend.
Family representatives have urged the focus of the day to remain on remembrance rather than political disputes, underscoring the ongoing pursuit of justice for the lost lives.
Initially marked by a peaceful rally, the event devolved into clashes between protesters and police, with demonstrators throwing petrol bombs and rocks at law enforcement officers.
In response, police deployed tear gas to disperse the crowds.
The demonstrations gathered tens of thousands of participants, reported to be the largest protests in Greece in over a decade.
Critics of the government have expressed frustration over perceived inaction regarding accountability for the tragic accident.
To date, only railway officials have faced criminal charges, despite calls for broader accountability from political leaders.
The tragic accident occurred in Tempe on February 28, 2023, when a passenger train collided head-on with a freight train, marking Greece's worst railway accident in history.
In the wake of the disaster, families of the victims have continued to demand transparency and accountability.
Yannis Panagopoulos, president of the General Confederation of Greek Workers, emphasized the necessity of holding all responsible parties accountable, regardless of their position.
The impact of the protests extended beyond demonstrations, leading to significant disruptions across the country.
Flights and rail services were canceled, and ferry operations ceased, creating widespread difficulties for commuters.
Public transportation faced severe interruptions, and many businesses in Athens remained closed, displaying messages of solidarity with the victims' families.
Protesters voiced their grievances with chants such as "You count profits.
We count lives" while carrying black balloons and anti-government banners.
Costas Reintzopoulos, a municipal worker, highlighted that the rail crash underscored ongoing demands for improved safety measures in the workplace, noting that eleven of the deceased were railway employees.
In anticipation of the protests, as many as 5,000 police officers were deployed to manage the crowds.
Memorial services are scheduled to be held in Orthodox churches across Athens to honor the victims, many of whom were university students returning from a holiday weekend.
Family representatives have urged the focus of the day to remain on remembrance rather than political disputes, underscoring the ongoing pursuit of justice for the lost lives.
