Greece train crash: at least 36 killed and dozens injured in collision

[muriel_volestrangler]

Source: The Guardian

At least 36 people have been killed and 85 injured after two trains collided near the town of Tempe in central Greece, the fire brigade said.

A passenger train, travelling from Athens to the northern city of Thessaloniki, and a cargo train, going from Thessaloniki to Larissa, collided head-on outside the central city, Konstantinos Agorastos, the governor of the Thessaly region, told local media.

“The collision was very strong,” he said, adding that the first four carriages had derailed, while the first two were “almost completely destroyed”.

Agorastos said about 194 passengers were evacuated safely to Thessaloniki on buses.



Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/01/greece-train-crash-deaths-injuries-larissa-collision-derailment

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The train had been travelling from Athens to the northern city of Thessaloniki when it crashed head-on with the other freight train, leading to a fire in at least one of the carriages.

It is being described as the worst train crash Greece has ever seen, but the cause of the collision is not yet known. According to local media, an investigation has been launched to find out how the crash occurred.

Sixty-six people were also injured in the collision, with reports that many of the passengers were young people returning to Thessaloniki after a holiday for Greek Orthodox Lent.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-64806678

[mahatmakanejeeves]

1. Greek transport minister resigns over train crash; 36 dead

Greek transport minister resigns over train crash; 36 dead

By COSTAS KANTOURIS and NICHOLAS PAPHITIS
an hour ago





TEMPE, Greece (AP) — Rescuers searched Wednesday through the burned-out wreckage of two trains that slammed into each other in northern Greece, killing at least 36 people and crumpling several carriages into twisted steel knots.

Transport Minister Kostas Karamanlis resigned, saying he felt it was his “duty” to step down “as a basic indication of respect for the memory of the people who died so unfairly.”

The cause of the crash near the Vale of Tempe, a river valley about 380 kilometers (235 miles) north of Athens, was not immediately clear, but the stationmaster in the nearby city of Larissa was arrested Wednesday. The police did not release his name. Another two people have been detained for questioning.

{snip}

[TeamProg]

2. station master arrested

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/02/28/greece-train-accident-tempe-larissa/?utm_campaign=wp_post_most&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_most&carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F3941af6%2F63ff88fe1b79c61f87b0b827%2F5fe8e448ade4e21670bc1e37%2F13%2F74%2F63ff88fe1b79c61f87b0b827&wp_cu=60f2bb1091ae212e4780171c46d0ace6%7CB7783B4ED096293AE0530100007F2A97

[C Moon]

3. We don't know the whole story, but it seems messed up that someone can be

arrested and charged for negligence—it sounds to me they are looking for a scapegoat. But perhaps he was drinking or something like that?

[mahatmakanejeeves]

4. Greece train crash: Rail workers strike as anger over crash grows

Greece train crash: Rail workers strike as anger over crash grows

Published
17 minutes ago



Remains of destroyed train carriage being removed by crane on Thursday morning. REUTERS

By Nick Beake in Larissa & Kathryn Armstrong in London
BBC News

Rail workers across Greece have begun a one-day strike after Tuesday's train crash which killed at least 43 people.

"Pain has turned into anger for the dozens of dead and wounded colleagues and fellow citizens," the workers' union said in a statement.

The walkout follows protests in Athens, Thessaloniki and the city of Larissa, near the site of the disaster.

Rescue workers are still going through burned and buckled carriages, searching for victims.

{snip}