Today
Wednesday March 1, 2023
15:24
RESIGNATION
Greek Transport Minister Kostas Karamanlis has resigned. Acknowledging the deterioration of Greece’s railway network, “not to the 21 people who have died so unjustly, and to take responsibility for the failures of the Greek state and political system over the years,” he said in a statement.
14:35
PRESIDENT
According to local press reports, Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou arrived at the scene of the accident. She laid some flowers on the rubble in memory of the victims. The head of state then went to the two hospitals in Larissa, where the victims of the accident were transported.
Note that the guide cut short a visit to Moldova in order to urgently return to the country.
13:15
MACRON REACTS
In tweets in French and Greek, the French President addressed “his thoughts” to the families of the victims of the terrible accident that happened near Larissa last night. “France stands with the Greeks,” wrote the head of state.
My thoughts go out to the families of the victims of the terrible accident that happened near Larissa last night. France stands next to the Greeks. — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) March 1, 2023
12:16
INVESTIGATION
The 59-year-old Larissa station manager was arrested after being questioned by law enforcement, a police source told AFP. “The facts with which he is accused will be announced shortly,” she said.
For the time being, the investigators hold him “responsible for the movement of trains that were on the same track,” specifies the Greek press agency AMNA.
12:00 p.m
“GET IT CLEAR”
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis promised on the way to the scene of the collision to “clarify the causes of the tragedy” and “do everything in our power to prevent a repeat”.
11:43
THE PREVIOUS
Two trains, one freight and the other passenger, collided in central Greece on Tuesday. At least thirty people died in this accident, which integrates the ranking of the worst rail disasters of the past decade.
transport
Posted today at 10:44am
11:31
SHOCK
Greek opposition leaders Alexis Tsipras and Nikos Androulakis expressed their surprise after the deadly clash in the Larissa region. “What happened is unthinkable. Our thoughts [vont] to the people who died so unjustly. My condolences to the families of the victims and support to the injured,” said the first, leader of Syriza, “this is an unspeakable tragedy. My thoughts go to the families of the victims and the injured,” said Nikos Androulakis, President of Pasok.
11:26
NATIONAL MOURNING
The Greek government decided on Wednesday to organize a three-day national mourning after the terrible train accident. During this time, the flag will be flown at half-mast in all public buildings, while all public celebrations will be cancelled, local media outlet Ekathimerini reports.
11:24
BLOOD DONATION
After the terrible train accident, residents of Larissa, a town close to the tragedy, flock to donate blood.
Larissa residents are lining up to donate blood after the train crash that killed at least 38 people. #GreeceTrainUncident #Greece via @Volidoskopos pic.twitter.com/o85XJDcnUJ – Daphne Tolis (@daphnetoli) March 1, 2023
09:44
NEW REVIEW
At least 36 people died and 85 were injured in the collision, authorities said in a new report. The death toll has now risen to 36,” said Vassilis Vathrakogiannis, spokesman for the Hellenic Fire Service. “66 people were hospitalized, six of them in intensive care,” he added.
Rescue operations continue and the number of victims could still be revised upwards.
08:55
PICTURES
The chilling images of the two trains after their collision in Greece.
Images of the collision site between two trains in GreeceSource: TF1 Info
08:14
“EARTHQUAKE”
“We felt the collision like a big earthquake,” Angelos, a 22-year-old passenger, told AFP. “Luckily we were in the penultimate car and got out alive. There was a fire in the first cars and panic ensued. It was a nightmare I experienced (…) I’m still shaking,” he added.
07:44
“People were scared”
A freight convoy and a passenger train collided in central Greece on Tuesday. At least 32 people lost their lives in this accident and several dozen were injured. One of the witnesses to this tragedy confided in LCI.
International
Posted today at 7:42
07:03
“TRAGEDY”
“I’ve never seen anything like it in my life. It’s a tragedy,” says one of the rescuers who were dispatched to the scene of the accident, telling AFP columns. “Five hours later we’re still finding bodies,” he says.
07:01
TRANSCRIPT
A witness to the accident describes the circumstances of the accident on the LCI microphone. “The first picture was scary because there were a lot of steel parts. The trains were completely destroyed, whether freight or passenger traffic,” says Vassilis Polyzos. “The passenger train was traveling at around 160 km/h and there was a head-on collision,” he continues.
This accident claimed at least 32 dead and 85 injured. The surviving passengers are shocked. “People were obviously scared, really scared. They looked around, looked… they didn’t even know where they were,” he says.
Greece: At least 32 dead when two trains collide Source: TF1 Info
06:53
FIRST HUMAN EVALUATION
“32 passengers were found dead,” Greek Fire Brigade spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said during a brief press conference. “Of the 85 injured, 53 remain in the hospital,” he adds.
The rescue operation is still ongoing and the toll could increase in the coming hours.
06:52
REMEMBERING FACTS
A freight convoy and a passenger train traveling between Athens and Thessaloniki collided in Greece on Tuesday evening. No information was given at this time as to why the two trains collided.
Around 150 firefighters and 40 ambulances were mobilized after Greek help. Cranes and mechanics were also deployed to try to clear the debris and lift the overturned wagons.
This is the “worst train accident that Greece has ever experienced,” say Greek media.
06:48
WELCOME
Hello and welcome to this direct message dedicated to the tragic train accident in Greece.