Violence mars Greece train crash mass protest

ATHENS: Masked youths threw petrol bombs and clashed with police outside the Greek parliament on Friday, as huge crowds gathered in a show of force to mark the second anniversary of the country´s worst rail tragedy.

Nearly 200,000 people rallied in Athens to demand justice for the 57 victims of the crash between a freight train and a passenger train near the central city of Larissa on February 28, 2023.

But much of the crowd, including children and the elderly, was forced to flee when hooded and masked attackers hurled petrol bombs and rocks, prompting riot police to fire teargas and stun grenades in response.

Police then deployed a water cannon as the youths set fire to bins and vandalised bus stops and shop windows. Nearly 30 arrests were made. The ambulance service said nearly 30 people were taken to hospital with minor injuries and respiratory issues, including a photographer hit in the head by one of the grenades.

Several were treated for their injuries in parliament. “The crowd was extremely packed and many panicked,” protester Sofia Yianniri told AFP. “We tried to get people with children out.” When the peaceful protest resumed, many shouted “murderers” while there were also cries of “resign”, apparently directed at Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Opinion polls indicate that most Greeks believe officials covered up vital evidence following the crash, slowing down an investigation that is still incomplete. “The truth will emerge and justice will come, bringing plenty of oxygen for ourselves and our children,” Tempe Victims´ Association president Maria Karystianou, whose daughter was killed in the crash, told the crowd.

Police earlier said some 325,000 people had protested nationwide. Packed subway trains in Athens forced many to walk several kilometres to join the crowds. “Today we must send a strong message to punish those responsible for this tragedy,” Nikos Lykomitros, a 20-year-old archaeology student, told AFP.

Babis Solakidis, a 44-year-old metalsmith, added: “This was not a simple accident, and there will be more if safety measures are not taken.” Schools, many shops, public services, trains, ferries and most flights were shut down.