Prosecutors order expedited forensic testing for Tempi train accident victims

The head of the Larissa Court of First Instance, Katerina Papaioannou, has issued a formal order to court-appointed forensic experts to expedite the procedures regarding the exhumation and examination of victims from the Tempi train accident. This decision follows a year of intense advocacy and pressure from the victims' families, who fought for further investigation to determine the exact causes of death. The mobilization included significant personal sacrifices, such as the hunger strike of Panos Routsis.

Following the identification of the Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI), the prosecutors instructed experts to finalize the cooperation agreement without delay. The NFI has confirmed its capacity to conduct the necessary specialized laboratory tests. Experts are now required to clarify technical specifications, including the protocols for sample collection, storage, and transport, while coordinating an immediate timeline for these actions. This step marks a critical development in the ongoing judicial investigation into the 2023 disaster.