Fri Feb 28 11:18:22 UTC 2025: ## Greece Grinds to Halt in Nationwide Strike Over Deadly Train Disaster

**ATHENS, GREECE** – Greece observed a nationwide general strike on Friday, marking the second anniversary of a devastating train collision near Tempe that killed 57 people. The strike, encompassing the closure of government services, banks, businesses, and a complete halt to air and sea travel, represents the strongest display of public anger since the country’s 2009 financial crisis.

Hundreds of protests erupted across Greece and internationally, fueled by outrage over the government’s handling of the tragedy and the findings of a recently released independent accident report. The report detailed a catalogue of systemic failures within the Greek railway system, including chronic equipment malfunctions, human error, and accusations of a government cover-up.

The report highlighted the failure to fully implement a European Union-funded safety upgrade project (Contract 717), inadequate training of railway staff, and a lack of accountability within the Hellenic Railways Organisation (OSE). The stationmaster’s improper use of the train control system, which led to the head-on collision of a passenger and freight train traveling at a combined speed of 240 km/h, is a key focus of public anger.

Families of the victims, many of whom were young students, have been particularly vocal in their condemnation. They accuse the government of prioritizing political expediency over safety, citing the hasty removal of crucial evidence from the crash site and suspicions of a cover-up to avoid pre-election fallout. A petition calling for the stripping of ministerial immunity to allow for prosecution of transport ministers from multiple administrations has garnered over 1.3 million signatures.

The scale of the strike and the intensity of the protests underscore the deep-seated public distrust in the government and its handling of the tragedy, which has become a potent symbol of perceived state incompetence and a lack of accountability. Investigations continue into the cause of a post-impact fire, with discrepancies between official reports and independent findings further fueling public anger. The ongoing investigation and potential prosecutions are expected to remain major political issues in Greece.

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