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Tempi train crash

Coordinates: 39°50′54″N 22°31′00″E / 39.84833°N 22.51667°E / 39.84833; 22.51667
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Tempi train crash
Map
About OpenStreetMaps
Maps: terms of use
150km
100miles
Location where the collision occurred.
Details
Date28 February 2023 (2023-02-28)[1]
23:21 EET (21:21 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
LineAthens–Thessaloniki mainline
OperatorHellenic Train
Incident typeHead-on collision
CauseUnder investigation
Statistics
Passengers342
Deaths65
Injured85
Missing48
Siemens HellasSprinter locomotive similar to ones destroyed in the accident, pictured in 2019
Siemens/Bombardier UIC-Z1 coaches of Hellenic Train that are used on InterCity services in Greece
Tempi crash diagram
Legend
Simplified route diagram
km.0
to New Thessaloniki
434.9
 Katerini
arrow for D direction of freight train
378.8
 Tempi
369.1
 site of collision
Tabliczka E75.svgAutokinetodromos A1 number.svg E75 / A 1
 arrow for U direction of InterCity 62
366.6
 Evangelismos
345.4
 Larissa
303.1
 Palaiofarsalos
to Athens

On 28 February 2023, two trains collided south of the Tempi Valley, near the village of Evangelismos in Thessaly, Greece. A delayed InterCity passenger train travelling from Athens to Thessaloniki collided head-on with an intermodal (container freight) train going in the opposite direction on the same stretch of track, resulting in both trains partially derailing.

Many people were injured or killed in the disaster. It is the deadliest train collision and derailment in Greece's history.

Background

The InterCity-62 passenger-train was operated by Hellenic Train, a subsidiary of Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane[2] and consisted of a rake of Hellenic Train UIC Z1 coaches made by Siemens at SGP Graz and Bombardier at Dunakeszi Carriage Workshops, based on the Viaggio Classic platform (which itself is based on the ÖBB Modularwagen), pulled by HellasSprinter locomotive 120 023.[3] The train was scheduled to arrive at Thessaloniki station at 11:35 p.m. EET.[4] The freight train was pulled by HellasSprinter locomotives 120 012 and 120 022.[5][6][1]

Earlier on the same day, an explosion in the electricity network at Palaiofarsalos railway station caused the overhead line to fall on another intercity train, leading to several delays on the line.[7] 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 reconstruction of the Larissa to Thessaloniki segment of the main line.

Due to delays in implementing the European Train Control System (ETCS), there is a single block section from the exit signal at Larissa to the entry signal at Neoi Poroi, limiting the line throughput to seven trains per hour each way.[8] Single block means that the track is separated into a distinct segment that can be controlled and monitored independently from other sections of track. This is typically done for safety purposes so that trains can be prevented from entering a section of track that is already occupied by another train. The length of each block section can vary depending on factors such as train speed, signaling system, and track layout, but each section is treated as a separate unit that can only be occupied by one train at a time. ETCS implementation was initially planned for 2020 but is now expected to be completed by late 2023.[9][10] The absence of signals on the way meant neither the stationmaster, the freight train nor the passenger train had any way of knowing they were on the same track.[citation needed]

This wreck followed a series of other rail accidents with no casualties.[11][12]

Collision

The InterCity-62 passenger-train, which was scheduled to depart from Athens to Thessaloniki at 7:22 p.m Eastern European Time (UTC+2), left a few minutes behind schedule at approximately 7:30 p.m., carrying around 350 passengers. Many of the passengers were students in their 20s returning after the long weekend for Greek Orthodox Lent celebration.[13] At the same time, a freight train carrying several flatcars loaded with shipping containers and plate steel was travelling from Thessaloniki to Larissa.[14][1]

The collision between the two trains occurred on the Athens-Thessaloniki mainline, which is operated by OSE, the Greek national railway company. The section where the accident took place, located 27.3 kilometres (17.0 miles) north of Larissa, was double-tracked and equipped with automatic controls, but switching and signalling were still being controlled manually.[15] The passenger train and the freight train collided head-on near Evangelismos just before midnight.[16][17] Due to the darkness at the time of the accident and the lack of time for the train drivers to react to the accident, it was estimated that the passenger train was travelling at speeds between 140 kilometres per hour (87 miles per hour) and 160 km/h (99 mph).

In an interview with ERT, the governor of the Thessaly region, Kostas Agorastos, reported that the first four carriages of the passenger train were derailed, and the first two carriages caught fire and were "almost completely destroyed".[18] Passengers reportedly escaped from the train through windows that were either broken in the crash or were broken by passengers to escape. Many panicked due to the chaotic scene of the crash, with some trapped in carriages that were tilted at least 45 degrees. Rescuers were also able to open some of the car doors.[18]

Numerous train cars caught fire following the collision, and 17 vehicles and 150 firefighters worked to extinguish the flames. Meanwhile, rescue efforts were made with the assistance of 40 ambulances and over 30 police officers at the site.[19][20] The wreckage was so severe that crane trucks were used to help extricate vehicles.[21] The Hellenic Army was called upon to assist.[22] Some 250 surviving passengers, including those with minor injuries, were evacuated from the collision site by bus to Thessaloniki.[2][23][24]

Victims

Fifty-seven people were killed and 85 others were injured,[25][2] with 25 of them suffering serious injuries. Of the injured, 66 were hospitalized, with six being admitted to intensive care units.[1][6] The identification of some victims was challenging due to the high temperatures that reached up to 1,300 °C (2,370 °F) inside the first carriage.[18] Two Cypriot students are among the missing people. Five Albanian nationals were killed and five other Albanian nationals were injured.

Aftermath

An emergency meeting was called by Greece's government following the crash, and Health Minister Thanos Plevris visited the scene.[26] President Katerina Sakellaropoulou cut short her visit to Moldova to offer support to the victims.[27] Transport Minister Kostas Achilleas Karamanlis resigned after the train crash, stating at the scene of the accident that it was his responsibility to do so "as a basic indication of respect for the memory of the people who died so unfairly".[28][29]

Protests

In the aftermath of the disaster, vigils, angry protests, and riots were seen in Athens, Thessaloniki, and Larissa.[30]

Greek rail workers went on strike on 2 March 2023 protesting against working conditions and the failure to modernise the rail network.[31]

Investigation

After the crash, two rail officials were questioned by police.[32] One of them, a stationmaster, was arrested and charged with causing death and harm through negligence.[33] The Larissa railway station manager claimed that the switch from the up line (northbound) to the down line (southbound) was not functioning[34] and that the passenger train should have stayed on the up line to avoid the freight train. He also claimed to have let the train through a red signal.[35]

It is unclear why the stationmaster did not realize the passenger train was not present on the northbound track, or why the driver of the passenger train did not question switching tracks and being let through a red light when they were not meant to do so. This could be due to signalling issues being common in Greece.[36]

The tragedy occurred amidst growing demands[37] for the approval by Parliament[38] of the Rail Accident Investigation Board[39] (Greek: Επιτροπή Διερεύνησης Σιδηροδρομικών Ατυχημάτων και Συμβάντων, romanized: Epitropi Dierevnisis Sidirodromikon Atychimaton Kai Symvanton), an independent body tasked with investigating accidents causing death, serious injuries, or extensive damage on the Greek railway network.[40] It is required by EU law, and Greece was brought to court over it two weeks before the accident.[41] The rail workers' union had pointed out problems with the administration of the rail network which could put the passengers in danger, three weeks before the incident.[42]

Reactions

Following the train crash, the Greek government declared a three-day period of mourning, during which all flags were flown at half-mast and celebratory events were postponed.[43] The STASY metro workers' union suspended planned strike action on the Athens Metro out of respect for the victims.[44] The president of the Greek train drivers' union stated that the accident "could have been avoided if the safety systems were working".[45][46] On 2 March 2023, the Panhellenic Union of Train Personnel walked out in protest of the risks associated with the crash.[47] Former Greek finance minister, Yanis Varoufakis blamed the crash on railway privatization, comparing it to the Ladbroke Grove rail crash that occured in London in 1999.[48]

Flags outside the European Commission building in Brussels were also lowered to half-mast the morning after the accident.[49]

Several world leaders expressed their condolences to the victims' families, including French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna,[50] European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen,[51] European Council President Charles Michel,[52] and French President Emmanuel Macron, who wrote on Twitter, "France stands alongside the Greeks".[53] The state media of the People's Republic of China reported that President Xi Jinping sent a letter of condolence to President Sakellaropoulou.[43] The Turkish Foreign Ministry also released a statement expressing condolences and wishing a speedy recovery to those injured in the incident.[54]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "2 trains collide in northern Greece, at least 15 killed". BNO News. 28 February 2023. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Chen, Heather; Liakos, Chris; Tawfeeq, Mohammed; Hauser, Jennifer; Noor Haq, Sana (1 March 2023). "At least 29 dead, 85 injured as trains collide in Greece". CNN. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  3. ^ "OSE 120". elektrolokarchiv.de. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  4. ^ "Ανακοίνωση" [Announcement]. Hellenic Train (in Greek). 1 March 2023. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  5. ^ Greece train crash leaves dozens dead, DW, 1 March 2023, archived from the original on 1 March 2023, retrieved 1 March 2023
  6. ^ a b Avramidis, Alexandros; Papadimas, Lefteris (1 March 2023). "At least 40 dead, scores injured after trains collide in Greece". Reuters. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  7. ^ "Paleofarsalos: 25,000-volt power cables fell into a passing train". CNN Greece (in Greek). 28 February 2023. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  8. ^ Print proceedings of the ASME 2018 Joint Rail Conference (JRC2018) (1st ed.). American Society of Mechanical Engineers. 2018. ISBN 978-0-7918-5097-8. OCLC 1061074717.
  9. ^ "Signalling-Telecommunications". ΕΡΓΟΣΕ. Archived from the original on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  10. ^ "Τα νέα του σιδηρόδρομου: τα ατέλειωτα έργα του ΟΣΕ και τα σχέδια της Hellenic Train" [Rail news: OSE's endless projects and Hellenic Train's plans]. Athens Transport (in Greek). 2 February 2023. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  11. ^ ΙΝ, Σύνταξη (24 February 2023). "Αναστάτωση σε τρένο στη Θεσσαλονίκη - Ξέσπασε φωτιά σε βαγόνι". in.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  12. ^ Newsroom. "ΤΡΑΙΝΟΣΕ: Τρένο χτύπησε σε κομμένο καλώδιο - Αναμένονται καθυστερήσεις δρομολογίων". www.ieidiseis.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 2 March 2023. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  13. ^ Beake, Nick; Armstrong, Kathryn (2 March 2023). "Greece train crash: Rail workers strike as anger over crash grows". BBC News. Archived from the original on 2 March 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  14. ^ Mary-Kate, Findon (1 March 2023). "Crushed carriages lay strewn off tracks after deadly train crash in Greece". The Independent. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  15. ^ "At least 32 killed, dozens injured in Greece train crash". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  16. ^ "Fiery train crash in Greece kills 29, injures at least 85". CBS News. 1 March 2023. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  17. ^ Carey, Alexis (1 March 2023). "Dozens dead after two trains collide in Greece". The Courier Mail.
  18. ^ a b c Davies, Alys; Fowler, Sarah (1 March 2023). "Greece train crash: Survivors describe 'nightmarish seconds'". BBC News. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  19. ^ Davies, Alys; Fowler, Sarah (1 March 2023). "Carnage after trains collide near Greek city of Larissa". BBC News. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  20. ^ Grant, Teddy; Gretsky, Will; Winsor, Morgan; Deliso, Meredith (1 March 2023). "Greece train collision updates: At least 29 dead, 85 injured". ABC News. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  21. ^ Labropoulou, Elinda; Kasulis Cho, Kelly; Francis, Ellen; Parker, Claire (1 March 2023). "At least 32 dead, 85 injured after trains collide in northern Greece". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  22. ^ Kantouris, Costas; Gatopoulos, Derek (28 February 2023). "Fiery Greece train collision kills 29, injures at least 85". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  23. ^ "Fiery Greece train collision kills 32, injures at least 85". Associated Press. 28 February 2023. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  24. ^ "32 people dead and 85 injured in a train collision in Greece". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  25. ^ Smith, Helena (1 March 2023). "Greece train crash: at least 40 killed and dozens injured in collision". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  26. ^ "Train accident in Greece kills at least 29". Philstar.com. Agence France-Presse. 1 March 2023. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  27. ^ "Greek president cuts short Moldova trip after train collision". Reuters. 1 March 2023. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  28. ^ "Greek transport minister resigns over deadly train crash". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  29. ^ "Greek Transport Minister Kostas Karamanlis resigns over deadly train crash". Associated Press. 1 March 2023. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  30. ^ Beake, Nick; Davies, Alys (1 March 2023). "Greece train crash: Angry protests erupt after disaster". BBC. Larissa and London. Archived from the original on 2 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  31. ^ "Greek rail workers strike over safety concerns as death toll in train tragedy tops 50". France 24. 2 March 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  32. ^ "Train Crash in Greece Kills at Least 29". The New York Times. Associated Press. 1 March 2023. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  33. ^ "Greece train crash: Police arrest railroad station master". DW. 1 March 2023. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  34. ^ "Το μοιραίο λάθος του σταθμάρχη Λάρισας που έφερε την τραγωδία" [The fatal mistake of the Larissa station master that brought the tragedy]. ProtoThema (in Greek). 1 March 2023. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  35. ^ "Τραγωδία στα Τέμπη – 36 νεκροί στο χειρότερο σιδηροδρομικό δυστύχημα στην Ελλάδα" [Tragedy in Tempi – 36 dead in the worst railway accident in Greece]. Athens Transport (in Greek). 1 March 2023. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  36. ^ Network, European Data Journalism. "'Warning, No Signal'". European Data Journalism Network. Archived from the original on 26 October 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  37. ^ "Π. Πέρκα: Ο Οργανισμός Διερεύνησης Αεροπορικών και Σιδηροδρομικών Ατυχημάτων να είναι ανεξάρτητη Αρχή". Metaforespress (in Greek). 19 January 2023. Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  38. ^ "Κ. Καραμανλής: Ενισχύουμε τους κανόνες διερεύνησης ατυχημάτων βάσει διεθνών και ευρωπαϊκών απαιτήσεων". Metaforespress (in Greek). 19 January 2023. Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  39. ^ "RAIL ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION BOARD - National Registry of Administrative Public Services". en.mitos.gov.gr. Archived from the original on 2 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  40. ^ "ΕΠΙΤΡΟΠΗ ΔΙΕΡΕΥΝΗΣΗΣ ΣΙΔΗΡΟΔΡΟΜΙΚΩΝ ΑΤΥΧΗΜΑΤΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΣΥΜΒΑΝΤΩΝ - Εθνικό Μητρώο Διοικητικών Διαδικασιών". mitos.gov.gr. Archived from the original on 2 March 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  41. ^ "Greek referred to EU court of justice over railway failings weeks before fatal crash". The Independent. 1 March 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  42. ^ Newsroom (2 March 2023). "Τέμπη - Οι συνδικαλιστές είχαν προειδοποιήσει: «Δεν θα περιμένουμε το δυστύχημα που έρχεται»". CNN.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 2 March 2023. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  43. ^ a b Chen, Heather; Llakos, Chris; Tawfeeq, Mohammed; Hauser, Jennifer; Noor Haq, Sana (1 March 2023). "At least 36 dead, scores injured as trains collide in Greece". CNN. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  44. ^ "Strike action on metro suspended due to deadly train crash". eKathimerini. 1 March 2023. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  45. ^ "Dozens killed, scores injured after two trains collide in Greece". France24. 1 March 2023. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  46. ^ Kokkinidis, Tasos (1 March 2023). "Train Collision in Greece: Electronic Systems 'Not Working for Years'". GreekReporter.com. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. 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 ... .
  47. ^ https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64820085
  48. ^ @yanisvaroufakis (1 March 2023). "Now is the moment to grieve and to look after the injured and the victims' families. But soon we shall bring to Greece's Parliament the underlying issue: yet another tragedy caused by a hideous railway privatisation. Paddington 1999, Larissa 2023" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  49. ^ @EU_Commission (1 March 2023). "Our flags are lowered at half-mast in front of our headquarters in Brussels following the terrible train accident that claimed so many lives last night near Larissa, Greece" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  50. ^ @MinColonna (1 March 2023). "Pensées attristées après le terrible accident de train près de Larissa en #Grèce" [Sad thoughts after the terrible train accident near Larissa in #Greece. Dear @NikosDendias, my heart goes out to the Greek people, and express my sincere condolences to the victims and their families.] (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  51. ^ @vonderleyen (1 March 2023). "My thoughts are with the people of Greece after the terrible train accident that claimed so many lives last night near Larissa" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  52. ^ @CharlesMichel (1 March 2023). "My thoughts are with the people of Greece this morning" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  53. ^ @EmmanuelMacron (1 March 2023). "Mes pensées vont aux proches des victimes du terrible accident survenu la nuit dernière près de Larissa. La France se tient aux côtés des Grecs" [My thoughts go out to the loved ones of the victims of the terrible accident that took place last night near Larissa. France stands alongside the Greeks.] (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  54. ^ "No: 62, 1 March 2023, Press Release Regarding the Train Crash in Greece". Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 1 March 2023. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023. We extend our condolences to the relatives of those who lost their lives in this tragic accident as well as to the people and Government of Greece and wish a speedy recovery to the injured.
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