VIOLENCE ERUPTS DURING PROTEST IN ATHENS, GREECE OVER DEADLY TRAIN COLLISION (VIDEO)

Thu 02 March 2023:

Protesters clashed with police in the Greek capital Athens, after a passenger train carrying more than 350 people, collided with a freight train on Tuesday evening, in Tempi, leaving at least 46 people dead and scores injured. The death toll is expected to rise.

The Greek transport minister resigned in the wake of the tragedy, while a rail workers union is going on strike, accusing the government of “disrespect”, in the sector.

Another 52 people remain in hospital as a result of the crash, which left toppled carriages and scorched debris in its wake. Six of the injured being treated are in critical condition, due to head wounds and serious burns.

Most of the passengers involved in the accident were young, the accident came soon after a holiday weekend.

According to a 2022 report from the European Union Agency for Railways, Greece has a poor record of railway passenger safety, when compared to other countries in Europe, recording the highest railway fatality rate, per million train kilometers, from 2018 to 2020.

Condolences poured in from across the world, while a three-day period of mourning is under way in Greece.

Britain’s King Charles III said in a statement that he and his wife Camilla, Queen Consort, have been “most shocked and profoundly saddened by the news of the dreadful accident.”

French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted: “My thoughts go out to the families of the victims of the terrible accident that took place last night near Larissa. France stands alongside the Greeks.”

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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