The long-awaited trial into Greece’s 2023 train disaster was adjourned shortly after opening, as chaotic scenes unfolded inside a packed courtroom in Larissa.
Hundreds of attendees—including victims’ families, lawyers, and observers—filled the venue, prompting outrage over what many described as inadequate conditions.
Maria Karystianou, a prominent representative of victims’ families, said relatives had been “packed like sardines,” calling the situation “an absolute disgrace” and a sign of “contempt” toward those who lost loved ones.
Courtroom Conditions Spark Outrage
The trial is being held in a converted university lecture hall, around 30 kilometres from the crash site near Tempe, where a passenger and freight train collided on February 28, 2023, killing 57 people.
Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis defended the choice of venue, stating it was one of the largest available courtrooms in Greece, with seating for more than 460 people. He attributed the overcrowding to an unexpectedly high turnout.
However, lawyers and relatives strongly disagreed, arguing the setting was wholly unsuitable for such a high-profile and sensitive case.
Families Demand Justice
“This trial is starting with great delay. What we want is exemplary punishment for those responsible,” said Pavlos Aslanidis, head of the victims’ families association, who lost his 26-year-old son in the crash.
Karystianou also raised concerns about the investigation, claiming key questions remain unanswered, including how some victims—like her daughter—“burned alive” after surviving the initial collision.
“We want the truth to come out,” she said.
Dozens on Trial, No Politicians Charged
A total of 36 individuals face charges, while more than 350 witnesses are expected to testify in proceedings that could last several years.
Those accused include railway officials, the station master on duty, and executives linked to Ferrovie dello Stato through its subsidiary Hellenic Train.
The two trains reportedly travelled on the same track for over 10 minutes without triggering any warning system, exposing major safety failures in Greece’s rail network.
Despite the scale of the disaster, no political figures are on trial—fueling public anger and accusations of a cover-up.
Claims of Negligence and Cover-Up
The crash—widely referred to in Greece as the “Tempe crime”—has become a symbol of systemic failures and alleged corruption.
Critics point to delayed safety upgrades, despite European Union funding, as well as the loss of crucial evidence after the crash site was bulldozed just days later.
Dimitris Koutsoumbas described the investigation as rushed, leaving “huge gaps,” and accused authorities of a “blatant cover-up.”
Families of victims have also accused former transport minister Kostas Karamanlis of responsibility, though he currently faces only misdemeanour charges.
A Tragedy That Still Resonates
The disaster, which claimed the lives of many young students returning from a holiday weekend, continues to spark widespread anger across Greece.
Tens of thousands have taken to the streets in recent months to mark the anniversary and demand accountability.
Railway workers also staged a 24-hour strike on Monday, describing it as an act of remembrance, protest, and vigilance.
As the trial begins under intense scrutiny, families say their fight is far from over.
“This trial clearly shows the corruption that killed our children,” said one grieving parent outside the courtroom.
greekcitytimes.com.
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