Masked people threw gasoline bombs and clashed with police outside the Greek parliament on Friday, as huge crowds gathered in a show of force to mark the second anniversary of the country’s worst rail tragedy.
About 200,000 people rallied in Athens to demand justice for the 57 victims of the crash between a freight train and a passenger train near the central city of Larissa on Feb. 28, 2023.
However, much of the crowd, including children and the elderly, was forced to flee when hooded and masked attackers hurled bombs and rocks, prompting riot police to fire tear gas and stun grenades in response.
Photo: EPA-EFE
Police then deployed a water cannon as some people set fire to bins and vandalized bus stops and shop windows. About 30 arrests were made.
The ambulance service said about 30 people were taken to hospital with minor injuries and respiratory issues, including a photographer hit in the head by one of the grenades. Several were treated for their injuries in parliament.
“The crowd was extremely packed and many panicked,” protester Sofia Yianniri said. “We tried to get people with children out.”
When the peaceful protest resumed, many shouted “murderers” while there were also cries of “resign,” apparently directed at Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Opinion polls indicate that most Greeks believe officials covered up vital evidence following the crash, slowing down an investigation that is still incomplete.
“The truth will emerge, and justice will come, bringing plenty of oxygen for ourselves and our children,” Tempe Victims’ Association president Maria Karystianou, whose daughter was killed in the crash, told the crowd.
Police earlier said about 325,000 people had protested nationwide. Packed subway trains in Athens forced many to walk several kilometers to join the crowds.
“Today we must send a strong message to punish those responsible for this tragedy,” said Nikos Lykomitros, a 20-year-old archeology student.
“This was not a simple accident, and there will be more if safety measures are not taken,” said Babis Solakidis, a 44-year-old metalsmith.
Schools, many shops, public services, trains, ferries and most flights were shut down.
Other European countries and cities worldwide with large ethnic Greek populations, such as New York and Melbourne, also saw demonstrations.
Several prominent artists joined the walkout, shutting down theaters and music clubs.
More than 40 people have been prosecuted, including the local station master responsible for routing the trains, but a trial into the tragedy is not expected before the end of the year.
The two trains had traveled toward each other on the same track for kilometers without triggering any alarms.
The government has rejected accusations by opposition parties that it was behind an “organized plan” to shield senior officials from responsibility.
“Society is angry because society has been misled,” Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said this week.
“One of the aims of a large part of the opposition is to lead to tension … through misinformation,” he said.