Initial investigations by national authorities pointed to the possible existence of “unknown fuels.”
Greece’s worst railway disaster in 2023 was due to chronic safety gaps that still need to be addressed to prevent repetition, investigators said one day before the second anniversary of the tragedy.
The first investigation by the Air and Railway Investigations Bureau (Harcia) to be concluded by Greek authorities, investigated the cause of the crash that caused a head-on crash near Larissa, with 57 passenger and freight trains colliding head-on.
The February 28, 2023 incident led to public outrage and prompted widespread demonstrations as the victims’ families accused them of trying to hide the evidence. The crash led to a big fireball and an explosion of unclear origin.
Harucia said most of the victims died in crash crashes, but up to seven people died in the fire.
The report pointed to the “potential presence” of “unknown fuels” on the ground.
Previous investigations by experts funded by the victim’s families alleged that freight trains carried illegal, unreported explosive chemicals, which contributed to high deaths.
The Italian-owned operator Hellenic train has denied knowledge of the illegal freight of freight trains.
Harsia’s head Christos Papadimitriou described the report as X-rays in the railway system that helps address the defects.
The agency noted that the dramatic cuts imposed during the 2009-18 Greek economic crisis have seriously undermined the country’s rail network, both in staff and other resources. The state-run Hellenic Railway Organization (OSE) added that it is “stretching the limits of operational staff beyond what is sustainable and humanly acceptable.”
Furthermore, the operator Hellenic train “was unable to demonstrate continuous training, particularly due to non-technical capabilities associated with safety-related communications.”
Harcia has drafted 17 recommendations on the Railway Regulatory Authority, Hellenic Trains, OSE and Ministry of Infrastructure.
The judicial investigation is expected to end this year.
Friday’s anniversary will be marked by strikes and hundreds of protests in Greece and abroad.
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