Fresh protest after train crash

Following Greece’s deadliest train crash, around 5,000 protesters gathered again in Athens, and a similar number took to the streets in the country’s second-largest city, Thessaloniki, according to Font. In the capital, protesters occupied Syntagma Square near the parliament with banners reading “We will not forget, we will not forgive” and “We will be the voice of all the dead”. “Anger and rage brought me here,” Markella, 65, who lives in Athens, told AFP on condition of anonymity.

We are desperate. I don’t know what to say or what to do, I just want to participate in the demonstration

Alexandros, 26, is a protester.

Collision between two trains 57 people died on April 28 in Tempe, about 350 km north of Athens. Four railway officials have been prosecuted following the accident, highlighting the long-standing problems of the Greek railway network.

Pressure on Govt

The accident, which mainly affected the youth, created a stir Massive protests against the Conservative government A general election is due before July. The largest demonstration took place on Wednesday, with 65,000 people taking to the streets to demand accountability from Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

The protesters demanded his resignation. He was criticized for pointing it out early “Human error” by station master, One in four employees sued. But unions have long warned of staff shortages and delays in modernizing safety systems at the railways.

Greece’s transport minister resigned after the crash and Mr Mitsotakis has repeatedly apologized and tried to quell public anger. It promises a transparent investigation. For weeks, the Greek press has been abuzz with rumors about the election date, with April 9 being the most popular choice by observers so far. But most analysts now believe the elections will be held later, perhaps by the end of May.

(AFP)Show comments