Ahead of the second anniversary of the deadly Tempi train collision, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis addressed his cabinet on Wednesday, February 26, emphasising the need for truth and justice.
Mitsotakis called the crash, which occurred on February 28, 2023, a national tragedy that should unite Greek society in demanding accountability and a safer public transport system.
“A national tragedy which must unite our society behind a common demand. The demand for truth and justice,” Mitsotakis said, urging the need to confront mistakes and delays within the state mechanisms highlighted by the incident.
He acknowledged that many citizens would gather in the coming days to honour the victims and demand justice.
While emphasising the right to protest, the Prime Minister cautioned against using the tragedy for political destabilisation.
“Some wish to turn this collective grief into an opportunity for a new divide,” Mitsotakis stated, criticising those who had used provocative language, including accusations of a “government of murderers.”
Mitsotakis stressed that the majority of Greeks wanted truth and justice, not a climate of instability.
He also reminded that, in a few days, the government would be presenting its case in Parliament and that opposition parties were welcome to propose any motions, including a no-confidence vote.
He concluded by saying that the government’s priority was to unite Greece, noting that the Tempi tragedy should serve as a catalyst for modernising the country’s railway system, just as the 2018 Mati fires prompted improvements in civil protection.
“I think that is the best way to truly honour the memory of our 57 fellow citizens,” he added.
The National Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Organization (EODASAAM) is set to release its findings on the crash on Thursday.
These findings will be forwarded to judicial authorities for inclusion in the case file. Further reports, including an analysis from the National Technical University of Athens and police surveillance footage, are also expected.
