Greece’s rail disaster due to chronic safety gaps, inquiry finds

Greece’s worst rail disaster in 2023 was due to chronic safety gaps that still need to be addressed to prevent a repeat, investigators have said a day before the tragedy’s second anniversary.

The first investigation by the Greek authorities, the National Aviation Investigation Agency and Railway Accidents and Transportation Safety (HARSIA), focused on the causes of the fatal collision between a passenger train and a freight train near Larissa.

The incident on February 28, 2023, caused widespread demonstrations and caused public outcry from the victims’ families, who claimed authorities tried to conceal evidence. A huge fireball and an explosion of unknown origin were the result of the collision.

According to Harsia, the crash resulted in the deaths of the majority of the victims, but the fire also claimed seven.

The report pointed to the “possible presence” of an “unknown fuel” at the scene.

According to an earlier investigation by experts funded by the victims’ families, the freight train was allegedly carrying an unreported and illegal load of explosive chemicals, which contributed to the high death toll.

Hellenic Train, an Italian-owned company, has denied knowledge of any illegal cargo being transported on the freight train.

Christos Papadimitriou, HARSIA’s head, described the report as an X-ray of the rail system that would help to address deficiencies.

The agency noted that dramatic cuts imposed during the 2009-18 Greek economic crisis had greatly undermined the country’s rail network, both in staff and other resources. The state-run Hellenic Railways Organization, or OSE, was “stretching the limits of their operational staff beyond what is humanly acceptable in a sustainable way,” it continued.

In addition, the operator Hellenic Train “could not demonstrate that they had put in place ongoing training, in particular for safety-related communications and relevant non-technical competencies”.

HARSIA drafted 17 recommendations for the railway regulator, Hellenic Train, OSE, and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transportation.

This year’s judicial investigation is expected to be over.