Protests in Greece for the Tempi tragedy

3 minute(s) · February 28, 2025

Thousands across Greece marked the second anniversary of the Tempi railway tragedy with massive protests demanding justice, accountability, and railway safety reforms, as victims’ families and the public vowed to keep the memory of the 57 lost lives alive. 

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What happened on February 28, 2023 near Tempi, Greece?

On February 28, 2023, Greece suffered its worst railway disaster when a passenger train collided head-on with a freight train near Tempi, killing 57 people, many of them students. The crash was caused by human error, as the stationmaster in Larissa mistakenly routed both trains onto the same track. The accident also exposed long-standing railway safety issues, including outdated infrastructure and a lack of automated systems. The tragedy sparked nationwide protests, with citizens demanding justice and major railway reforms. Two years later, large demonstrations continue as the victims' families and the public call for accountability and lasting change.

People protesting all around Greece

Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets across Greece today (February 28) to mark the second anniversary of the Tempi railway tragedy, in which 57 lives were lost. Demonstrations were held in cities nationwide, including Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras, Ioannina, Larissa, Lamia, Heraklion, and Pyrgos, as citizens demanded justice and accountability.

In Athens, the heart of the protest unfolded in Syntagma Square, where people of all ages gathered from early morning. Metro and train stations were overwhelmed with crowds making their way to the demonstration, united in remembrance and determination. Parents with their children, students, and entire families stood side by side, holding banners and chanting slogans in honor of the victims.

A deeply emotional moment came when classmates of the deceased read aloud the names of all 57 victims. After each name, the crowd responded with a solemn and powerful "Present," culminating in a collective cry of "Immortal!" that echoed through the square. The atmosphere was charged with grief but also with unwavering resolve to seek truth and justice.

Student representatives were among the first to speak, as many of the victims had been young people returning home or to their universities on that tragic night. They demanded swift and thorough investigations, insisting that those responsible be held accountable. Their speeches reflected not only sorrow but also a fierce commitment to ensuring such a catastrophe never happens again.

The parents of the victims then took the floor, their words met with heartfelt applause from the crowd. Their pain was evident, but so was their determination to uncover the full truth behind the tragedy. Many speakers also paid tribute to the survivors, acknowledging the physical and emotional scars they still carry. Calls for improved railway safety and systemic change resounded throughout the gathering, reinforcing the protesters’ message: remembrance must lead to action.

Across the country, similar scenes played out, with thousands marching in solidarity, holding photographs of the victims, lighting candles, and demanding that justice be served. The demonstrations were not just a memorial—they were a powerful statement that the people of Greece will not allow the memory of the Tempi victims to fade, nor will they accept silence or inaction.

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