Investigation into Greece’s deadliest train crash cites human error and outdated infrastructure as primary reasons behind the tragedy.
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A long awaited report on the investigation into Greece’s deadliest train crash was released on Thursday. The report blames human error, outdated infrastructure and major systemic failures for the tragic accident that killed 57 people two years ago.
The almost 180-page report was released on the eve of a general strike and mass protests planned for the second anniversary of the 28 February, 2023 crash.
The independent investigative committee found that a routing mistake by a station master sent a passenger train onto the same track as an oncoming freight train. The collision, which killed 46 passengers and 11 staff, occurred near Tempi, some 400 km north of the capital, Athens.
Investigators also identified poor training, staff shortages and an ageing railway system that lacks modern safety controls as contributors to the tragic incident.
“An accident doesn’t occur by chance,” he said. “There are accumulating factors that contribute to the accident, because humans also tend to make mistakes,” said Christos Papadimitriou, Director of the Hellenic Air and Rail Safety Investigation Authority, the group responsible for the investigation.
“The Greek railway system didn’t have in 2023 – it doesn’t have today too,” he added, referencing the lack of public spending on railways systems due to the financial crisis of 2010-18.
The report noted that if modern day safety technologies were in place, such an accident would not have occurred.
The government said it would respond to the “very serious shortcoming and understaffing and underfunding,” but added that claims made by opposition parties that it had hindered the investigation are not true.
The government is also deploying 5,000 police officers to patrol Athens on Friday, as public demonstrations and the general strike are expected to halt and disrupt public services and commercial activity.