Politis

Greece: Trial Begins for Deadly Train Crash in Tempi

Published March 23, 2026, 07:25
Greece: Trial Begins for Deadly Train Crash in Tempi

The trial for the Tempi train tragedy, which claimed the lives of 57 people and injured 180, begins today in Larissa. The proceedings are expected to last more than two years, with approximately 230 relatives of the victims and survivors attending to support the indictment, and over 350 witnesses having been declared. The investigation lasted two and a half years and was completed in August 2025, with the families expressing complaints about its hasty completion and the lack of investigation into important evidence. A total of 36 people will be on trial, including the Larissa stationmaster, who is accused of making a mistake that led the trains onto opposing tracks. Along with him, the head of the Larissa OSE Inspection Department and two other stationmasters are accused. Additionally, 11 OSE officials are accused of omissions in railway safety, while 16 ERGOSE officials are accused of failing to complete contract 717, which concerned the signaling and remote control of the network. The Tempi tragedy has caused immense grief and anger in Greek society, with the families of the victims seeking justice and demanding accountability for the causes that led to the accident. The trial is expected to shed light on the conditions prevailing on the railway and reveal possible omissions and responsibilities. The start of the trial marks an important step in the effort to achieve justice, but also a painful reminder of the tragedy for the families of the victims. The process is expected to be long and difficult, but the need for transparency and accountability is imperative.