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Tempi train crash: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 39°50′54″N 22°31′00″E / 39.84833°N 22.51667°E / 39.84833; 22.51667
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==Background==
==Background==
A passenger train departed from Athens at around 7:30&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern European Time]] (5:30 p.m. UTC) carrying approximately 350 passengers from [[Athens]] to [[Thessaloniki]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ανακοίνωση 1/3/2023 |url=https://www.hellenictrain.gr/news/anakoinosi-132023 |access-date=2023-03-01 |website=Hellenic Train |language=el}}</ref> Meanwhile, a freight train was travelling from Thessaloniki to [[Larissa]].<ref name="reuters1"/> Both trains were hauled by an electric [[TRAINOSE Class 120|Class 120 locomotive]] (pictures of the wreck show the remains of locomotives 120-022<ref>{{Citation |title=Greece train crash leaves dozens dead |url=https://www.dw.com/en/greece-train-crash-leaves-dozens-dead/a-64847983 |website=dw.com |language=en |access-date=2023-03-01}}</ref> and 120-012<ref>{{cite news|title=Crushed carriages lay strewn off tracks after deadly train crash in Greece |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/greece-train-wreck-collision-accident-b2291764.html |work=[[The Independent]] |date=2023-03-01|access-date=2023-03-01}}</ref>). The two collided on the [[Athens-Thessaloniki railway]], which is operated by [[Hellenic Train]], a subsidiary of [[Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane]], Italy's state-owned railway company.<ref name="reuters1"/><ref name="cnn1"/> The accident section was double-tracked and had automatic controls installed but switching and signalling was still being done manually.<ref>{{Citation |title=At least 32 killed, dozens injured in Greece train crash |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj5FnTGI0ng&t=54s |language=en |website=Al Jazeera|access-date=2023-03-01}}</ref> The president of the Greek train drivers' union said that the accident "would have been avoided if the safety systems were working".<ref>{{cite news |title=Dozens killed, scores injured after two trains collide in Greece |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230301-more-than-a-dozen-dead-scores-injured-in-fiery-train-crash-in-greece |access-date=1 March 2023 |work=France24 |date=1 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kokkinidis |first=Tasos |date=2023-03-01 |title=Train Collision in Greece: Electronic Systems 'Not Working for Years' |language=en-US |work=GreekReporter.com |url=https://greekreporter.com/2023/03/01/train-collision-greece-electronic-systems-not-working/ |access-date=2023-03-01 |quote='Nothing works, everything is done manually ...' throughout the Athens-Thessaloniki network ... neither the indicators, the traffic lights, nor the electronic traffic control is working ... no telemonitoring, or photo-signaling system is working ... in the past electronic systems worked ... security precautions in Greece's railway system are archaic ... .}}</ref> Already earlier the same day, at [[Palaiofarsalos railway station]], an explosion in the electricity network caused the overhead line to fall on another intercity train, which led to several delays on the line.<ref>{{cite news|language=Greek|title=Paleofarsalos: 25,000-volt power cables fell into a passing train|url=https://www.cnn.gr/ellada/story/352193/palaiofarsalos-ilektrofora-kalodia-ton-25-000-volt-epesan-se-dierxomeno-treno/amp|work=CNN Greece|date=28 February 2023|access-date=1 March 2023}}</ref> The crash site was just next to an overpass of the [[Motorway 1 (Greece)|A1 motorway]], on a stretch of line that opened in 2003 as part of a line rebuilding program that targeted the Larissa to Thessaloniki segment of the mainline.
A passenger train departed from Athens at around 7:30&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern European Time]] (5:30 p.m. UTC) carrying approximately 350 passengers from [[Athens]] to [[Thessaloniki]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ανακοίνωση 1/3/2023 |url=https://www.hellenictrain.gr/news/anakoinosi-132023 |access-date=2023-03-01 |website=Hellenic Train |language=el}}</ref> Meanwhile, a freight train was travelling from Thessaloniki to [[Larissa]].<ref name="reuters1"/> Both trains were hauled by an electric [[TRAINOSE Class 120|Class 120 locomotive]] (pictures of the wreck show the remains of locomotives 120-022<ref>{{Citation |title=Greece train crash leaves dozens dead |url=https://www.dw.com/en/greece-train-crash-leaves-dozens-dead/a-64847983 |website=dw.com |language=en |access-date=2023-03-01}}</ref> and 120-012<ref>{{cite news|title=Crushed carriages lay strewn off tracks after deadly train crash in Greece |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/greece-train-wreck-collision-accident-b2291764.html |work=[[The Independent]] |date=2023-03-01|access-date=2023-03-01}}</ref>). The two collided on the [[Athens-Thessaloniki railway]], which is operated by [[Hellenic Train]], a subsidiary of [[Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane]], Italy's state-owned railway company.<ref name="reuters1"/><ref name="cnn1"/> The accident section was double-tracked and had automatic controls installed but switching and signalling was still being done manually.<ref>{{Citation |title=At least 32 killed, dozens injured in Greece train crash |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj5FnTGI0ng&t=54s |language=en |website=Al Jazeera|access-date=2023-03-01}}</ref> The president of the Greek train drivers' union said that the accident "would have been avoided if the safety systems were working".<ref>{{cite news |title=Dozens killed, scores injured after two trains collide in Greece |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230301-more-than-a-dozen-dead-scores-injured-in-fiery-train-crash-in-greece |access-date=1 March 2023 |work=France24 |date=1 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kokkinidis |first=Tasos |date=2023-03-01 |title=Train Collision in Greece: Electronic Systems 'Not Working for Years' |language=en-US |work=GreekReporter.com |url=https://greekreporter.com/2023/03/01/train-collision-greece-electronic-systems-not-working/ |access-date=2023-03-01 |quote='Nothing works, everything is done manually ...' throughout the Athens-Thessaloniki network ... neither the indicators, the traffic lights, nor the electronic traffic control is working ... no telemonitoring, or photo-signaling system is working ... in the past electronic systems worked ... security precautions in Greece's railway system are archaic ... .}}</ref> Already earlier the same day, at [[Palaiofarsalos railway station]], an explosion in the electricity network caused the overhead line to fall on another intercity train, which led to several delays on the line.<ref>{{cite news|language=Greek|title=Paleofarsalos: 25,000-volt power cables fell into a passing train|url=https://www.cnn.gr/ellada/story/352193/palaiofarsalos-ilektrofora-kalodia-ton-25-000-volt-epesan-se-dierxomeno-treno/amp|work=CNN Greece|date=28 February 2023|access-date=1 March 2023}}</ref> The crash site was just next to an overpass of the [[Motorway 1 (Greece)|A1 motorway]], on a stretch of line that opened in 2003 as part of a line rebuilding program that targeted the Larissa to Thessaloniki segment of the mainline.

A passenger train departed from Athens at around 7:30 p.m. [[Eastern European Time]] (5:30 p.m. UTC) carrying approximately 350 passengers from [[Athens]] to [[Thessaloniki]]. Meanwhile, a freight train was travelling from Thessaloniki to [[Larissa]]. Both trains were hauled by an electric [[TRAINOSE Class 120|Class 120 locomotive]] (pictures of the wreck show the remains of locomotives 120-022 and 120-012). The two collided on the [[Athens-Thessaloniki railway]], which is operated by [[Hellenic Train]], a subsidiary of [[Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane]], Italy's state-owned railway company. The accident section was double-tracked and had automatic controls installed but switching and signalling was still being done manually. The president of the Greek train drivers' union said that the accident "would have been avoided if the safety systems were working". Already earlier the same day, at [[Palaiofarsalos railway station]], an explosion in the electricity network caused the overhead line to fall on another intercity train, which led to several delays on the line. The crash site was just next to an overpass of the [[Motorway 1 (Greece)|A1 motorway]], on a stretch of line that opened in 2003 as part of a line rebuilding program that targeted the Larissa to Thessaloniki segment of the mainline. The [[Larissa]] station master claims the switch from the upline to the downline wasn't working<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-01 |title=Το μοιραίο λάθος του σταθμάρχη Λάρισας που έφερε την τραγωδία |url=https://www.protothema.gr/greece/article/1345110/sugrousi-trenon-sti-larisa-to-moiraio-lathos-tou-stathmarhi-pou-efere-tin-tragodia/ |access-date=2023-03-01 |website=ProtoThema |language=el}}</ref> and that the train was meant to stay on the upline to avoid the freight train. He also claims he let the train through a red signal<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-01 |title=Τραγωδία στα Τέμπη – 36 νεκροί στο χειρότερο σιδηροδρομικό δυστύχημα στην Ελλάδα |url=https://www.athenstransport.com/2023/03/tragodia-tempi-sidirodromos/ |access-date=2023-03-01 |website=Athens Transport |language=el}}</ref> . There is a single block section starting from the exit signal at Larissa all the way to entry signal at [[Neoi Poroi]]. This is due to ETCS being disabled.



==Collision==
==Collision==

Revision as of 13:26, 1 March 2023

Tempi train crash
Map
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150km
100miles
Details
Date28 February 2023 (2023-02-28)[1]
23:24 EET (21:24 UTC)[1]
Locationnear Evangelismos, Tempi, Larissa, Thessaly
Coordinates39°50′54″N 22°31′00″E / 39.84833°N 22.51667°E / 39.84833; 22.51667
CountryGreece
OperatorHellenic Train
Incident typeHead-on collision
CauseUnknown
Statistics
Deaths38
Injured>85
Siemens HellasSprinter locomotive similar to those destroyed in the accident, pictured in 2019
Siemens/Bombardier UIC-Z1 coaches of Hellenic Train that are used on InterCity services in Greece

On 28 February 2023, a passenger train and a freight train collided in Thessaly, Greece, resulting in the deaths of at least 38 people and injuring dozens,[2][1][3][4] making it the deadliest railway accident on record in Greece.[2][1]

Background

A passenger train departed from Athens at around 7:30 p.m. Eastern European Time (5:30 p.m. UTC) carrying approximately 350 passengers from Athens to Thessaloniki.[5] Meanwhile, a freight train was travelling from Thessaloniki to Larissa.[4] Both trains were hauled by an electric Class 120 locomotive (pictures of the wreck show the remains of locomotives 120-022[6] and 120-012[7]). The two collided on the Athens-Thessaloniki railway, which is operated by Hellenic Train, a subsidiary of Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane, Italy's state-owned railway company.[4][8] The accident section was double-tracked and had automatic controls installed but switching and signalling was still being done manually.[9] The president of the Greek train drivers' union said that the accident "would have been avoided if the safety systems were working".[10][11] Already earlier the same day, at Palaiofarsalos railway station, an explosion in the electricity network caused the overhead line to fall on another intercity train, which led to several delays on the line.[12] The crash site was just next to an overpass of the A1 motorway, on a stretch of line that opened in 2003 as part of a line rebuilding program that targeted the Larissa to Thessaloniki segment of the mainline.

A passenger train departed from Athens at around 7:30 p.m. Eastern European Time (5:30 p.m. UTC) carrying approximately 350 passengers from Athens to Thessaloniki. Meanwhile, a freight train was travelling from Thessaloniki to Larissa. Both trains were hauled by an electric Class 120 locomotive (pictures of the wreck show the remains of locomotives 120-022 and 120-012). The two collided on the Athens-Thessaloniki railway, which is operated by Hellenic Train, a subsidiary of Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane, Italy's state-owned railway company. The accident section was double-tracked and had automatic controls installed but switching and signalling was still being done manually. The president of the Greek train drivers' union said that the accident "would have been avoided if the safety systems were working". Already earlier the same day, at Palaiofarsalos railway station, an explosion in the electricity network caused the overhead line to fall on another intercity train, which led to several delays on the line. The crash site was just next to an overpass of the A1 motorway, on a stretch of line that opened in 2003 as part of a line rebuilding program that targeted the Larissa to Thessaloniki segment of the mainline. The Larissa station master claims the switch from the upline to the downline wasn't working[13] and that the train was meant to stay on the upline to avoid the freight train. He also claims he let the train through a red signal[14] . There is a single block section starting from the exit signal at Larissa all the way to entry signal at Neoi Poroi. This is due to ETCS being disabled.


Collision

External image
image icon Crash site [15]

The passenger train and the freight train collided head-on near Evangelismos just before midnight,[16][17] resulting in the deaths of 38 people and injuries to 85 others. 25 people were seriously injured. 66 of the injured were hospitalized, and six were admitted in intensive care units.[1][4][8] In an interview with ERT, the governor of the Thessaly region, Kostas Agorastos, said the first four carriages of the passenger train were derailed, and the first two carriages caught fire and were "almost completely destroyed".[18] In the first images from the crash site, the damage was so severe that the leading locomotive of the passenger train, 120 022, was reduced to mangled metal while the first carriage was burnt in the aftermath.

Aftermath

Many train cars caught fire following the collision. Seventeen vehicles and 150 firefighters attempted to subdue the flames, while rescue efforts were made with 40 ambulances and more than 30 police officers at the collision site.[19][20] The crash was so severe that crane trucks were used to help with vehicle extrication.[21] 250 surviving passengers, including those with minor injuries, were evacuated from the collision site by buses to Thessaloniki.[22][23][8] Police questioned two rail officials after the crash.[24] The Hellenic Army was contacted to assist.[25] An emergency meeting was organized within Greece's government following the crash, and health minister Thanos Plevris went to visit the scene.[26] President Katerina Sakellaropoulou cut short her visit to Moldova to visit the site, stating the need for her to "offer support" to the victims.[27]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "2 trains collide in northern Greece, at least 15 killed". BNO News. 28 February 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  2. ^ a b Panoutsopoulou, Magda. "Greece declares 3 days of national mourning in wake of deadly train crash". AA News. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  3. ^ "Dozens killed after two trains collide in Greece". BBC News. 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d "At least 40 dead, scores injured after trains collide in Greece". Reuters. 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  5. ^ "Ανακοίνωση 1/3/2023". Hellenic Train (in Greek). Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  6. ^ "Greece train crash leaves dozens dead", dw.com, retrieved 1 March 2023
  7. ^ "Crushed carriages lay strewn off tracks after deadly train crash in Greece". The Independent. 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  8. ^ a b c Hauser, Heather; Chen, Chris; Liakos, Mohammed; Tawfeeq, Jennifer (1 March 2023). "At least 29 dead, 85 injured as trains collide in Greece". CNN. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  9. ^ "At least 32 killed, dozens injured in Greece train crash", Al Jazeera, retrieved 1 March 2023
  10. ^ "Dozens killed, scores injured after two trains collide in Greece". France24. 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  11. ^ Kokkinidis, Tasos (1 March 2023). "Train Collision in Greece: Electronic Systems 'Not Working for Years'". GreekReporter.com. Retrieved 1 March 2023. 'Nothing works, everything is done manually ...' throughout the Athens-Thessaloniki network ... neither the indicators, the traffic lights, nor the electronic traffic control is working ... no telemonitoring, or photo-signaling system is working ... in the past electronic systems worked ... security precautions in Greece's railway system are archaic ... .
  12. ^ "Paleofarsalos: 25,000-volt power cables fell into a passing train". CNN Greece (in Greek). 28 February 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  13. ^ "Το μοιραίο λάθος του σταθμάρχη Λάρισας που έφερε την τραγωδία". ProtoThema (in Greek). 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  14. ^ "Τραγωδία στα Τέμπη – 36 νεκροί στο χειρότερο σιδηροδρομικό δυστύχημα στην Ελλάδα". Athens Transport (in Greek). 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  15. ^ @nytimes (1 March 2023). "Breaking News: At least 36 people were killed when a passenger train collided with a freight train in northern Greece, officials said" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  16. ^ "Fiery train crash in Greece kills 29, injures at least 85". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  17. ^ Carey, Alexis (1 March 2023). "Dozens dead after two trains collide in Greece". Courier Mail.
  18. ^ "Greece train crash: Survivors describe 'nightmarish seconds'". bbc.com/news. 1 March 2023.
  19. ^ "Carnage after trains collide near Greek city of Larissa". BBC News. 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  20. ^ "Greece train collision updates: At least 29 dead, 85 injured". ABC News. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  21. ^ "At least 32 dead, 85 injured after trains collide in northern Greece". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  22. ^ "32 people dead and 85 injured in a train collision in Greece". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  23. ^ "Fiery Greece train collision kills 32, injures at least 85". Associated Press. 28 February 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  24. ^ The Associated Press (1 March 2023). "Train Crash in Greece Kills at Least 29". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  25. ^ "Fiery Greece train collision kills 29, injures at least 85". AP NEWS. 28 February 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  26. ^ "Train accident in Greece kills at least 29". Philstar.com. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  27. ^ "Greek president cuts short Moldova trip after train collision". Reuters. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
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