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Greek Inquiry Reveals Persistent Rail Safety Gaps Post-Deadly Crash

Greece's most devastating rail disaster in 2023 resulted from persistent safety deficiencies that still require attention to prevent a recurrence, according to investigators on Thursday. A collision between a passenger train en route from Athens and a freight train from Thessaloniki on February 28, 2023, near Larissa led to the death of 57 individuals, predominantly students.

The investigation conducted by Greece's Air and Rail Accident Investigation Authority (HARSIA) – the first of its kind by a national authority – has been concluded. As the anniversary of the tragedy approaches, Greeks are preparing for large-scale demonstrations set to bring the country to a halt.

Christos Papadimitriou, head of HARSIA's railway division, emphasized, "Those children lost their lives due to unsafe train conditions; we cannot evade responsibility." The report is likened to an X-ray of the rail system exposing its shortcomings.

HARSIA has put forward 17 recommendations for various entities including the railway regulator, operator Hellenic Train, state-owned Hellenic Railways Organisation overseeing the network, and the transportation ministry. These suggestions encompass aspects such as recruitment and training, asset renewal, implementation of remote train control and communication systems, and installation of recording devices for accident analysis support.

While the collision resulted in a significant fireball and explosion, the exact causes remain unclear. The majority of casualties occurred during the crash with up to seven fatalities attributed to the fire. HARSIA ruled out the possibility of the fireball being caused by train equipment.

Established in late 2023, HARSIA initiated its investigation in March 2024, over a year post-accident, relying largely on external sources for information. A separate judicial inquiry is nearing completion with independent experts pointing out deficiencies more than a year ago.

A European Union-funded project launched in 2014 to implement communication systems for remote driver-traffic controller interaction and distant train brake control has faced considerable delays. Consequently, EU representatives have pressed charges against multiple Greek officials for malpractice.

Subsequently, the administration has formulated a railway safety action plan, critiqued by Brussels for being inadequately expedient. Families of victims express frustration over delayed accountability, accusing the government and parliament of neglect in assigning political liability for the incident, which the government refutes.

Lawyer Antonis Psaropoulos, who lost his daughter in the crash, lamented, "Nothing has changed since the day we heard about the tragedy. Every day feels identical to us."