CLASHES erupted between authorities and protesters during the anniversary of the deadly train crash that happened last year.
Clashes between police and protesters erupted as hundreds rallied in Athens to mark the first anniversary of the railway accident in the Tempe Valley, about 375 kilometers north of Athens, which claimed many lives.
To recall, a year ago, a fatal collision between a freight train and a passenger resulted in the death of 57 people.
Protesters blame the privatization and subsequent deterioration of Greece’s railway lines for the disaster.
They threw stones and Molotov cocktails at police while others marched with placards.
“A year later, we will not get used to it. We agree with the slogan: this criminal act will not be forgotten,” said Thanassis Papadoppoulos, Ship Workers Union.
“The answer to our sorrow is the organized struggle. If we stay at the level of sorrow, things will be worse,” said Stefanos Kaligos, President of the employees union.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis acknowledged the national trauma by remarking that the bells of all the country’s churches rang 57 times in the morning, once for each victim, to commemorate the tragedy and the collective failure that it represents.
Relatives of the train crash victims have raised concerns about the investigation, appointing their experts to ensure a thorough examination of the incident.
They also criticized official investigators for allegedly ignoring vital evidence, including substances found in the freight train that could have contributed to the intensity of the fire.
