Relatives of Tempi train accident victims testify at Larisa court

The 36th hearing of the trial concerning the February 28, 2023, train collision in Tempi, Greece, took place at the Three-Member Criminal Court of Appeals in Larisa. Relatives of victims, including the parents of 22-year-old Giorgos Papazoglou and Agapi Tsaklidou, testified regarding systemic safety failures, the controversial management of the crash site, and concerns over the investigative process.

Witnesses highlighted persistent issues with railway signaling, the lack of remote control systems (telemanagement), the non-operational GSM-R communication system, and the flawed implementation of the 717 contract. Eleni Vasara, mother of Agapi Tsaklidou, described the railway network as a "ticking time bomb" and requested further forensic examination of remains found at the crash site to ensure full identification. Testifying families also rejected the theory that silicone oils caused the massive fireball following the impact and criticized the handling of audio records and site remediation (the so-called "bazoma").

Legal representatives and family members continued to call for the investigation of former senior officials within the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, arguing that those responsible for the network's poor state have yet to face sufficient accountability. The trial remains an ongoing, highly emotional process, with the victims' families expressing their final hope for justice through the judicial system as they continue to present evidence regarding the systemic negligence that led to the death of 57 people.