Tens of thousands of people gathered in Athens to commemorate the second anniversary of a rail accident that resulted in 57 fatalities. The demonstration marked the anniversary amidst allegations that the government was involved in covering up the evidence and slowing down investigations into the crash. Greek riot police used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse a smaller group of protesters who were throwing Molotov cocktails and stones. Over 170,000 people attended the protest in Athens, and 325,000 nationwide, according to police.

Some 5,000 police officers were deployed in the capital, arresting over 80 individuals involved in the riots. The protests were accompanied by a 24-hour general strike that paralyzed public transport and caused the closure of government offices and schools. Shops and businesses across the country also closed for several hours. The Tempi railway disaster occurred in 2023 when a passenger train from Athens to Thessaloniki collided with a freight train, resulting in 57 deaths. Polls indicate that between 70-80% of Greeks believe that the government was involved in a cover-up of evidence suggesting insufficient safety measures. The government has denied allegations of a cover-up and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has dismissed calls to resign.

Edited by: Rana Taha

Source: https://www.dw.com/en/greece-mass-protests-on-anniversary-of-tempi-train-crash/a-71785209?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf