A landmark ruling by the Administrative Court of First Instance of Athens has, for the first time, recognised the responsibility of the Greek state in the deadly Tempi train disaster, awarding compensation to relatives of victims.
The court granted approximately €400,000 in damages to one family, in a decision widely seen as a turning point that could pave the way for similar claims by other victims’ families and survivors.
The ruling comes as the main phase of the criminal trial into the disaster begins at the Three-Member Criminal Court of Appeal in Larissa, examining the causes of the tragedy that claimed 57 lives on February 28, 2023.
Legal experts say the decision is particularly significant as it formally acknowledges that the disaster was not merely accidental, but linked to systemic failures within the state apparatus.
According to the family’s lawyer, George Karapanos, the judgment confirms long-standing concerns about accountability.
“The judicial judgment… confirms what we understood from the very beginning: that the Tempi tragedy is not an isolated or random event, but the result of criminal omissions and systemic failure in the operation and supervision of the railway network,” he said.
The court’s reasoning reportedly highlights the role of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, noting that authorities had long been aware of serious safety deficiencies in the railway system.
It found that the state:
- Failed to exercise proper supervision
- Did not adequately address known risks
- Contributed, through omissions, to a disaster that could have been prevented
The decision is expected to have far-reaching legal implications, strengthening the position of families seeking justice and potentially triggering a wave of compensation claims.
It also shifts focus beyond individual responsibility, placing scrutiny on the broader functioning of the state and its oversight mechanisms.
The ruling marks a critical step in the ongoing pursuit of accountability for the Tempi tragedy, as families continue to demand justice for the victims.
greekcitytimes.com.
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