Violence Erupts In Greece as Protesters Throw Petrol Bombs And Police Respond With Tear Gas

Tensions flared in Athens as Greek police clashed with protesters commemorating the tragic anniversary of the country’s deadliest train crash. The demonstration, initially aimed at honoring the victims of the disaster, turned violent when demonstrators threw petrol bombs, smashed paving stones, and attempted to breach barricades set up in front of the Greek parliament. The authorities responded with force, deploying tear gas and stun grenades in an attempt to disperse the crowds.

Protests began across the country to mark the two-year anniversary of the fatal crash that claimed the lives of 57 people, many of whom were university students. This tragedy occurred in 2023 when a passenger train carrying dozens of students collided with a freight train in the small town of Tempe, igniting national outrage. The incident has become a symbol of systemic failures in Greece, leading to calls for justice and reform.

According to Sky’s chief correspondent Stuart Ramsay, who is reporting from Athens, large crowds have gathered in the streets across the capital, and there was an increasing sense of unrest throughout the day. The atmosphere suggested that the demonstrations could escalate into violence, a concern that proved to be valid as tensions between police and protesters intensified. The protests were initially peaceful, with people taking to the streets to demand accountability for the crash and better safety measures for the country’s railways. However, as the day wore on, some protesters resorted to violent actions, including throwing Molotov cocktails at the police and engaging in other forms of vandalism.

Hundreds of thousands of people participated in the rallies across Greece, including many who had been directly affected by the loss of loved ones in the crash. Families and friends of the 57 victims led the demonstrations, demanding justice for those who died in what they believe was not just an accident, but an avoidable tragedy caused by government negligence and poor infrastructure management. Protesters chanted slogans like “You count profits. We count lives,” highlighting their frustration with the lack of accountability from the authorities. Some carried black balloons in memory of the lives lost, while others held up anti-government banners calling for change.

The deadly crash and the subsequent public outcry have highlighted deep concerns about Greece’s rail system. The incident was widely seen as the result of years of institutional failure, including insufficient investment in railway infrastructure, outdated equipment, and poor maintenance practices. Many of the protesters view the crash as a consequence of a long-standing disregard for public safety in favor of profit, with the Greek government under fire for its inability to prevent such a disaster from occurring. For many, it was clear that the crash could have been prevented had there been adequate safety measures in place, and they believe that the government has failed to bring those responsible to justice.

The protests in Athens are part of a broader wave of demonstrations taking place in cities and towns across the country. A general strike has been called to coincide with the anniversary, and it has led to significant disruptions in daily life. Flights both domestic and international were grounded after air traffic controllers joined the strike. Seafarers, train drivers, doctors, lawyers, and teachers also participated, adding their voices to the call for justice. As a result, businesses and shops across the country have closed their doors in solidarity with the strikers.

This wave of protests is among the largest Greece has witnessed in recent years, rivaling the mass demonstrations during the country’s debt crisis over a decade ago. The anger that had been simmering over the state of the country’s infrastructure has boiled over, with the tragedy in Tempe acting as a catalyst for broader dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of public services. The protests are not just about the train crash, but about the broader issues of corruption, mismanagement, and the failure of the Greek state to protect its citizens.

At the Athens rally, 57-year-old musician Christos Main shared his frustration with the government’s lack of action. “The government hasn’t done anything to get justice,” he said, emphasizing that the crash was no accident, but an act of negligence. “This wasn’t an accident; it was murder,” he added, echoing the sentiments of many who believe that the loss of life could have been prevented had the government acted sooner to address the country’s crumbling rail system.

As the protests continue to unfold, the Greek government faces mounting pressure to respond to the demands for justice and reform. With demonstrators voicing their outrage at the lack of accountability and the failures of the state, it remains to be seen how the authorities will address these concerns and whether the protests will lead to meaningful change in the country’s railway system and beyond. For now, the unrest shows no signs of subsiding, and the tragic events in Tempe remain a poignant reminder of the consequences of institutional failure.