Greece’s worst rail disaster in 2023 was due to chronic safety gaps that still need to be addressed to prevent a repeat, investigators have said a day before the tragedy’s second anniversary.
The inquiry by the National Aviation Investigation Agency and Railway Accidents and Transportation Safety (HARSIA), the first by the Greek authorities to conclude, investigated the causes of the crash that killed 57 people as a passenger train and a freight train collided head-on near Larissa.
The incident on February 28, 2023, led to public outrage and prompted widespread demonstrations, as the families of the victims accused authorities of trying to cover up evidence. The crash led to a huge fireball and an explosion of unclear origin.
HARSIA said most of the victims died in the crash, but up to seven were killed by the fire.
The report pointed to the “possible presence” of an “unknown fuel” at the scene. (Aljazeera)