The train accident has sent Greece into a deep shock. With at least 46 dead and dozens injured so far, it is the worst train accident in the country’s history. The Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis ordered a three-day state mourning, the flags in the country are flying at half-mast. Meanwhile, the Greek media is holding the state railway company accountable.
“Kathimerini”: “There has never been a national security system for rail traffic in Greece. The electronic signaling system like that in other countries has been installed but has not worked due to damage and sabotage, while the rehabilitation and upgrading project started in 2014 is still ongoing – with seven extensions already. With such systems, the tragic accident could have been avoided.”
“Ethnos”: “The railway community lived for years in fear of an accident that no train driver or station master with his experience could prevent. It was, in fact, the chronicle of an almost predictable accident that no one involved in the railway can claim , he was not aware of it.”
“Efimerida ton Syntakton”: “All the signs of the total derailment of the Greek railways in recent years were there for those who did not close their eyes to the worried cries of the workers and the journalistic revelations. Nevertheless, they were recognized by both the political leadership and ignored by most of the media.”
“Ta Nea” is titled: “The ‘black box’ of the tragedy – what was to blame…”
“Naftemporiki”: “Just three weeks before the tragedy in Tempi, the employees of the railway company sounded the alarm: ‘Until measures are taken to protect jobs and to ensure the safe operation and traffic of trains, the accidents will not end’.”
“I Avgi”: “Behind the human error and the resignation of [Transport Minister Kostas] Karamanlis, the Mitsotakis government is trying by all means to cover up the tragic accident of the train collision in Tempi, which killed dozens of people.”
“Protothema” quotes the aunt of a seriously injured 20-year-old who is being treated in intensive care after the train accident: “Be calm today, all politicians! Today the mothers are screaming.”
“To Vima”: “The firefighters continue their work on the rubble of the two trains and hope that – as they progress to the third carriage – they might still find survivors.”
