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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 crash 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
Deaths≥57
Injured≥85
Missing1
One of the Siemens Hellas Sprinter locomotives involved in the accident, in Athens Central Station three months before the crash.
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, a head-on collision occurred between two trains south of the Tempi Valley, near the village of Evangelismos in Thessaly, Greece. The collision, involving the InterCity 62 (IC62) passenger train and an intermodal freight train, killed at least 57 people, making it the deadliest rail disaster in Greek history, surpassing the death toll of the Corinth rail disaster in 1968. It was also the deadliest in Europe since the Santiago de Compostela derailment in 2013.[citation needed]

Upon discovery that the IC62 passenger train was allowed to proceed on the wrong track and pass signals at danger despite the presence of the freight train on the same track, outrage in Greece ensued. Vigils, angry protests, and clashes with the police occurred in Athens, Larissa, and Thessaloniki following the accident. Railway workers of Hellenic Train and the Athens Metro went on strike to protest the dangers related to the crash beginning on 2 March 2023.

The accident led to the resignation of the Transport Minister of Greece, Kostas Achilleas Karamanlis, who took responsibility for the crash and cited his failure to bring the railways of Greece up to 21st century standards.

Background

The IC62 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 Hellas Sprinter locomotive class120 023.[3] The train was scheduled to arrive at Thessaloniki station at 11:35 p.m. EET.[4] The freight train number 63503 was pulled by Hellas Sprinter locomotives class 120 012 and class 120 022, and was towing flatcars loaded with sheet steel and shipping containers.[5][6][1]

Earlier on the same day, an explosion in the electricity network at Palaiofarsalos railway station had caused the overhead line to fall on another intercity train, leading to several delays on the line.[7] The crash site was 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.

Implementation of the European Train Control System (ETCS) was initially planned for 2020 but was delayed to late 2023.[8][9]

This wreck followed a series of other rail accidents with no casualties.[10][11]

Collision

The IC62 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 of Greek Orthodox Lent celebrations.[12] The IC62 arrived in Larissa late due to the earlier incident at Palaiofarsalos station and left the station at 11:00 p.m., departing on the southbound track. At the same time, the freight train was proceeding from Thessaloniki to Larissa on the same southbound track that the IC62 was on.[1][13] The stationmaster at Larissa, who had only been working for one month there, ordered the train to proceed and pass red signals all the way to Neoi Poroi and ordered his assistant – the switchman – to not "turn the keys" (realign the switches) as a local train would be crossing them.[14]

The collision between the two trains occurred at 11:21 pm 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, 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 the train through windows that were either broken in the crash or by themselves. Many panicked and some were trapped in carriages that were tilted at least 45 degrees. Rescuers were able to open some of the car doors.[18] The force of the impact was able to completely destroy the locomotive of the passenger train while the locomotives of the freight train were pushed against the freight cars they were towing.

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 extensive that crane trucks were used to help extricate carriages.[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][22][23]

Victims

At least 57 people were killed, and 80 others were injured,[20] with 25 of them suffering serious injuries. Of the injured, 66 were hospitalized, with six being admitted to intensive care units.[6][1] Identifying some victims was challenging due to the high temperatures reaching up to 1,300 degrees Celsius (2,370 degrees Fahrenheit) inside the first carriage.[18] Six Albanians,[24] two Cypriot students[25] and a citizen of Romania[26] are among the dead.

Aftermath

An emergency meeting was called by Greece's government following the crash, and Health Minister Thanos Plevris visited the scene.[27] President Katerina Sakellaropoulou cut short her visit to Moldova to offer support to the victims.[28] 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", also going on to say that he had "failed to bring the railway system to 21st century standards".[29][30]

Investigation

Following the collision, police questioned two rail officials[31] and one of them, Larissa's stationmaster, Vassilis Samaras, was detained and charged with causing death and injury through negligence.[32] Stamatis Daskalopoulos, Larissa's public prosecutor, who was assigned by Supreme Court prosecutor Isidoros Dogiakos to handle the investigation, stated that while the probe is still in its early stages, the authorities would continue to analyze all evidence and bring justice to whoever is responsible.[33] The Larissa railway station manager admitted to allowing the train through a red signal,[34] but claimed that the switch from the up line (northbound) to the down line (southbound) had not been working,[35] and argued that the passenger train should have stayed on the up line to avoid the freight train.[34] It was later discovered that the stationmaster at Larissa had been informed that a freight train was on the southbound track around 17 minutes prior to the accident occurring, and these entries were found in a ledger.[36]

The tragedy occurred amid growing demands[37] for the approval by the 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] Three weeks before the crash, the rail workers' union had pointed out problems with the administration of the rail network which could put the passengers in danger.[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 president of the train drivers' association, Kostas Genidounias, said that the electronic systems that warn drivers of danger have not been functional for some years. "Nothing works, everything is done manually. We are 'in manual mode' throughout the Athens-Thessaloniki network," he stated.[44][45]

Former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis blamed the crash on railway privatization, comparing it to the Ladbroke Grove rail crash that occurred in London in 1999.[46] Critics blame a lack of public investment during the deep financial crisis that spanned most of the previous decade for the rail disaster.[47]

Flags outside the European Commission building in Brussels were also lowered to half-mast the morning after the accident.[48] Albania declared 5 March a national day of mourning with flags at half-mast in the country.[49] Additionally, the Albanian Parliament observed a minute of silence.[50]

Protests

Vigils, heated protests, and riots took place in Athens, Thessaloniki, and Larissa following the catastrophe.[12][51] In response to both the tragedy and growing dissatisfaction of the industry at large, the Panhellenic Union of Train Personnel walked out in protest of working conditions and the failure to modernise the rail network, starting the strike on 2 March 2023, despite the STASY metro workers' union suspending planned strike action on the Athens Metro out of respect for the victims the previous day.[47][52][53] Scuffles broke out in Athens with police firing tear gas into crowds that gathered in front of the Hellenic Train's headquarters.[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 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". Deutsche Welle. 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. ^ "Παλαιοφάρσαλος: Ηλεκτροφόρα καλώδια των 25.000 βολτ έπεσαν σε διερχόμενο τρένο" [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. ^ "Signalling-Telecommunications". ΕΡΓΟΣΕ. Archived from the original on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  9. ^ "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.
  10. ^ ΙΝ, Σύνταξη (24 February 2023). "Αναστάτωση σε τρένο στη Θεσσαλονίκη - Ξέσπασε φωτιά σε βαγόνι". in.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  11. ^ Newsroom. "ΤΡΑΙΝΟΣΕ: Τρένο χτύπησε σε κομμένο καλώδιο - Αναμένονται καθυστερήσεις δρομολογίων" [TRAINS: Train hit a cut cable - Delays are expected]. www.ieidiseis.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 2 March 2023. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  12. ^ a b 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.
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  14. ^ "Σύγκρουση τρένων στη Λάρισα - Ηχητικό ντοκουμέντο: Ακούστε τις μοιραίες εντολές του σταθμάρχη που έφεραν την τραγωδία" [Train collision in Larissa - Audio document: Listen to the fatal orders of the stationmaster that brought the tragedy]. ProtoThema (in Greek). Retrieved 4 March 2023.
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  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. ^ a b Grant, Teddy; Gretsky, Will; Winsor, Morgan; Deliso, Meredith (2 March 2023). "At least 57 dead, dozens more injured in Greek train derailment". ABC News. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 2 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. ^ a b 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. ^ "32 people dead and 85 injured in a train collision in Greece". The Jerusalem Post. 1 March 2023. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  24. ^ "Shkon në gjashtë numri i viktimave shqiptare në aksidentin tragjik në Greqi". Paparaci (in Albanian). 4 March 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  25. ^ Prakas, Nikolaos (3 March 2023). "Both Cypriots on Greek train identified, three-day mourning announced (update 4)". Cyprus Mail. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  26. ^ "MAE: Un român a murit în accidentul feroviar din Grecia" [MAE: A Romanian died in the railway accident in Greece]. Digi24 (in Romanian). 4 March 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  27. ^ "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.
  28. ^ "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.
  29. ^ Kantouris, Costas; Gatopoulos, Derek (1 March 2023). "Greek transport minister resigns over deadly train crash". Belfast Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  30. ^ "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.
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  32. ^ "Greece train crash: Police arrest railroad station master". DW. 1 March 2023. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  33. ^ "One Person Questioned So Far over Tempi Train Accident". The National Herald. 1 March 2023. p. 1. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  34. ^ a b "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.
  35. ^ "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.
  36. ^ "Larissa station master knew about freight train's position". eKathimerini. 2 March 2023.
  37. ^ "Π. Πέρκα: Ο Οργανισμός Διερεύνησης Αεροπορικών και Σιδηροδρομικών Ατυχημάτων να είναι ανεξάρτητη Αρχή" [P. Perka: The Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Agency should be an independent Authority]. 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" [K. Karamanlis: We are strengthening accident investigation rules based on international and European requirements]. 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" [RAILWAY ACCIDENTS AND INCIDENTS INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE]. Greek's National Register of Administrative Procedures. Archived from the original on 2 March 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  41. ^ Kingsley, Thomas (1 March 2023). "Greek referred to EU court of justice over railway failings weeks before fatal crash". The Independent. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  42. ^ Newsroom (2 March 2023). "Τέμπη - Οι συνδικαλιστές είχαν προειδοποιήσει: «Δεν θα περιμένουμε το δυστύχημα που έρχεται»" [Tempe - Unionists had warned: 'We will not wait for the crash to come']. CNN Greece (in Greek). Retrieved 2 March 2023. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  43. ^ 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. ^ "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.
  45. ^ Kokkinidis, Tasos (1 March 2023). "Train Collision in Greece: Electronic Systems 'Not Working for Years'". Greek Reporter. 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-signalling system is working ... in the past electronic systems worked ... security precautions in Greece's railway system are archaic ... .
  46. ^ @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.
  47. ^ a b "Greek unions protest over rail safety following train crash disaster". Euronews. 3 March 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  48. ^ @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.
  49. ^ "Tragjedia me 57 viktima në Greqi, Shqipëria shpall të dielën ditë zie" [The tragedy with 57 victims in Greece, Albania declares Sunday a day of mourning]. top-channel.tv (in Albanian). 2 March 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  50. ^ "Kuvendi një minutë heshtje për viktimat e aksidentit hekurudhor në Greqi" [Parliament observes a minute of silence for the victims of the railway accident in Greece]. Agjencia Telegrafike Shqiptare (in Albanian). 2 March 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  51. ^ Gatopoulos, Derek (3 March 2023). "Thousands march in Greece as anger builds over train deaths". AP News. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
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  54. ^ Video: Death toll of Greece train collision rises to 43, CNN, 2 March 2023, retrieved 3 March 2023


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