Justice delayed, truth denied: Public outrage 2 years after tragic train accident in Greece

Nearly two years after the catastrophic train accident at Tempi, Greece, which claimed the lives of 57 people on Feb. 28, 2023, the case remains a symbol of systemic failures, judicial controversy, and unyielding public outcry.

The train accident in Greece, caused by the collision of a passenger train and a freight train, has ignited ongoing protests, with victims’ families and activists demanding full accountability.

However, as new evidence surfaces and legal proceedings unfold, deep mistrust persists over whether justice is truly being served.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Kostas Karamanlis stand at the site of the train crash in Tempi, Greece, alongside emergency officials. The wreckage of a derailed train and debris from the accident are visible in the background. Karamanlis resigned later that day — A handout image from the Greek Prime Minister’s Press Office captures Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (second from right) and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Kostas Karamanlis (left) at the site of a train collision near Larissa, Greece. Minister Karamanlis resigned later that day, March 1, 2023. (Photo via EPA)

Newly surfaced footage instigates unanswered questions about train accident in Greece

A major development in the case came with the emergence of three new video recordings, purportedly showing the freight train 63503 involved in the accident.

Judicially appointed experts Apostolos Vasilakos and Stavros Batzopoulos confirmed that the footage indeed features the commercial train from the crash, but their report stopped short of authenticating the videos
This responsibility has now been passed to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, raising concerns about potential delays and credibility issues

The footage review verified that the train was carrying only officially declared cargo—metal sheets and containers

However, some forensic analysts and victim advocates remain unconvinced, suspecting that undeclared hazardous materials may have been present at the train accident in Greece.

Technical expert Kostas Lakafosis, appointed by victims’ families, has cast doubt on the integrity of certain photographic evidence included in the case file.

He alleges that an electrical cable was deliberately placed next to the transformer of the passenger train to support the official theory that the explosion was caused by transformer oil.

Instead, Lakafosis argues that the explosion was more likely triggered by an undeclared flammable substance on the freight train, a claim partially supported by forensic analysis.

Rescue workers use a crane to clear debris from the tracks after a train collision in Tempi, approximately 235 miles (376 km) north of Athens, near Larissa, Greece — Workers, aided by a crane, attempt to clear debris from the railway tracks following a train collision in Tempe, approximately 376 kilometers (235 miles) north of Athens, near Larissa, Greece, on March 2, 2023. (Photo via AFP)

Judicial process that began after train accident in Greece under scrutiny

Growing skepticism surrounds the conduct of the judiciary as the legal battle following the train accident in Greece continues.

Key issues include:

Upcoming safety report: The National Organization for the Investigation of Aviation and Railway Accidents and Transport Safety (EODASAAM) will release its highly anticipated report on Feb. 27, 2025. The report is expected to document severe safety gaps in Greece’s railway system, highlighting failures that extend beyond the night of the tragedy.
Missing evidence concerns: One of the most contentious aspects of the case is the alleged exclusion of 649,000 audio and video files from the official case file. These files, seized in July 2023, reportedly contain critical data from railway communication logs and surveillance footage across Greece’s rail network.
Legal action by victims’ families: Victims’ relatives, led by Maria Karystianou, have filed lawsuits accusing the judiciary of obstruction. They argue that the missing files contain evidence of negligence and systemic misconduct that has been deliberately kept out of court proceedings.
Accusations against judiciary officials: Karystianou has specifically targeted the special appellate judge overseeing the case, accusing him of ‘criminal sheltering’ and ‘misconduct’ for failing to include the files in the main judicial proceedings.
Concerns over internal disputes: While some victims’ families support legal action, others worry that internal disagreements and legal challenges could further delay the case, ultimately hindering efforts to hold those responsible for the train accident in Greece accountable.

Emergency responders work at the scene of a train crash near Larissa, Greece, on March 1, 2023 — Emergency responders work at the site of a tragic train accident in Greece, which occurred near the city of Larissa, Greece, on March 1, 2023. (Photo via AFP)

Public outrage grows as 2 years have passed since train accident in Greece

The Tempi disaster remains a defining issue in Greek politics, fueling widespread public anger. Nationwide protests, often led by victims’ families, have drawn tens of thousands of demonstrators demanding systemic reforms and political accountability.

On Feb. 28, 2025, the second anniversary of the tragedy, another major demonstration is planned to stress the enduring impact of the disaster.

The Greek government’s response to the tragic train accident in Greece has been widely criticized. Despite multiple resignations and parliamentary inquiries, many victims’ families believe that high-ranking political figures responsible for railway safety failures have evaded consequences.

Prominent activist Nikos Plakias, who lost two daughters and a niece in the crash, has named three ministers and four deputy ministers as key figures who should face prosecution. According to Plakias, unless senior officials are held accountable, the legal proceedings will be nothing more than a cover-up.

Further controversy arose when the resignation of Deputy Minister Christos Triantopoulos was announced following opposition pressure. While some viewed this as a step toward accountability, others dismissed it as a political maneuver designed to shield more powerful figures from scrutiny.

The parliamentary inquiry into the accident has also been met with skepticism, with many considering it a performative exercise rather than a genuine effort to expose wrongdoing.

A close-up of the wreckage from the train collision in Tempi, Greece. Crushed train parts and debris are piled up near a concrete barrier, while rescue workers in safety vests inspect the scene. — Police and rescue teams sifted through the wreckage on Wednesday after the train collision, which occurred shortly before midnight on March 1, 2023. (AFP Photo)

Victim families’ battle for justice following train accident in Greece

With the release of the EODASAAM report looming, the stakes in the Tempi case are higher than ever.

Key unresolved questions include the authenticity of the newly surfaced footage, the fate of the missing files, and the political accountability of senior officials following the train accident in Greece.

Meanwhile, victims’ families continue their relentless pursuit of justice, determined to ensure that the tragedy does not fade into history as yet another case of institutional negligence left unpunished.

For many, the fight for justice is not just about the past but about preventing another disaster. The fundamental failures that led to the Tempi crash—lack of safety measures, underfunded infrastructure, and political indifference—remain largely unaddressed.