Hellenic Air and Rail Accident official resigns amid Tempi train disaster report controversy

·

Deputy Chairman of the Hellenic Air and Rail Accident Investigation Authority (HARSIA), Christos Papadimitriou, has resigned, citing personal and family reasons.

His departure follows controversy over the official report on the deadly Tempi train crash.

In his resignation letter to Deputy Transport Minister Konstantinos Kyranakis, Papadimitriou affirmed the authority had delivered a “thorough and well-constructed report” that would serve the future of Greek rail safety.

However, he highlighted one unresolved issue: the “fireball” that erupted after the collision, killing several passengers.

Hellenic Air and Rail Accident official resigns amid Tempi train disaster report controversy
Deputy Chairman of the Hellenic Air and Rail Accident Investigation Authority (HARSIA), Christos Papadimitriou. Photo: InTime News.

“The only exception concerns the issue of the fireball, which in the unanimous opinion of the council, as stated in the minutes of February 26, 2025, requires further investigation. This is something I have said from the very day the report was presented,” Papadimitriou wrote.

The report, released in late February, attributed the fireball to an “unknown” material, citing input from foreign experts at the Universities of Ghent and Pisa. Those experts have since questioned how their conclusions were represented.

On Monday, Papadimitriou said he would request the removal of any references linking the fireball directly to the collision.

Source: Ekathimerini.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

SoulChef Sundays: The true taste of Christmas

Chef Georgia Koutsoukou — the Kalamata-born chef known as “SoulChef” — begins her new series SoulChef Sundays with The Greek Herald.

Cretan extra virgin olive oil gets new PGI quality status

By Lisa Radinovsky from Greek Liquid Gold. Cretan extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is now listed in the European Union’s official Geographical Indications Register of high-quality agricultural products and...

Greece enters space age with launch of first national micro-satellites

On Nov. 28, the country’s micro-satellites were launched from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

Inside the migrant trunks: Australian memories unearthed in an Athens home

Most of the stuff in the house is vintage as my uncle and aunt had spent over a decade in Australia from the early 1960s.

Bake it at home: Niki Louca’s classic Bougatsa (Custad Parcels)

Niki Louca from My Greek Kitchen shares her favourite recipe for Bougatsa (Custard Parcels) with The Greek Herald. 

You May Also Like

Lee Hagipantelis sacked during West Tigers board overhaul

Chairman of the West Tigers board, Lee Hagipantelis has been unexpectedly dismissed after four years following a shocking internal review.

Bill introduced to deliver $905 million to taxi licence holders

The NSW Government has today introduced the Point to Point Transport Amendment Bill 2022 into Parliament which will amend the Point to Point Transport Act 2016.

Celebrating 20 years: Nia Karteris and the legacy of Greek Fest Darling Harbour

Nia Karteris has been steering the cultural extravaganza that is the Greek Fest at Darling Harbour since 2003. Read more here.