A committee investigating the accident released a report pointing to systemic failures in the operation of the Greek railways.

On Friday, millions of Greeks took to the streets to protest against the conservative government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

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Greek unions called a 24-hour general strike that paralyzed all forms of public transport, cancelled flights and disrupted public services.

The nationwide demonstrations were organized by the labor unions representing public and private sector employees to commemorate the second anniversary of the nation’s deadliest train crash, which claimed 57 lives.

Survivors and families of the victims of the head-on collision between a passenger train and a freight train in Tempi, joined tens of thousands of protesters in front of the Parliament, calling for justice and improved railway safety. They accused the government of institutional failures and of attempting to shed responsibility.

“Today, all over Greece and beyond, Greeks are demanding justice for the cover-up of the Tempi crime and a society with safe means of transport,” said Socratis Famellos, president of the left-wing opposition party SYRIZA, calling for the government to resign.

“The responsibilities of the Greek government and those who have governed until now are enormous… Punishment must be merciless so that we and our children do not suffer another Tempi,” said Greek Communist Party Secretary Dimitris Koutsoumpas

Millions of people took to the streets of Athens. Meanwhile, groups of hooded protesters clashed with the police, hurling petrol bombs. Police officers responded with tear gas, dispersing the large crowd.

Fifteen people sustained minor injuries, while police arrested at least 41 protesters, Greek national broadcaster ERT reported. The protests came a day after an independent committee investigating the accident released a report pointing to systemic failures in the operation of the Greek railways.

These failures were due to a lack of funding and human resources, combined with human errors made by the stationmaster on duty at a control center near the collision site, as well as other railway officials who have already been charged.

Opposition parties have announced plans to submit a censure motion against the government next week, pressing for the prosecution of politicians. According to two opinion polls, 66-81 percent of respondents said they believed authorities had not done enough to shed light on the fatal train crash. 

teleSUR/ JF

Source: Xinhua – AA – K13

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