ATHENS – Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has issued a caution to the Greek population regarding potential unrest surrounding the upcoming scheduled protests commemorating the two-year anniversary of a tragic train accident. The Prime Minister expressed concern over provocative online content that appears to be aimed at instigating political instability within the country. The incident in question resulted in the loss of 57 lives, predominantly students, making it the deadliest railway disaster in Greece.
On Friday, mass demonstrations are expected to take place in numerous Greek cities to honor the memory of the victims. Additionally, a 24-hour strike has been called by various labor unions in solidarity, demanding justice for those affected by the collision between a freight train and a passenger train on February 28, 2023, just before midnight. The strike will affect air, sea, and train transportation services.
Despite the passage of two years since the tragic event, an official judicial investigation is ongoing to determine the precise cause of the crash along the Athens-Thessaloniki rail line. Recent protests have seen tens of thousands of outraged citizens urging the government to hold individuals accountable for the incident. The Mitsotakis administration, having secured a second term following the accident, has faced criticism from the families of the victims for allegedly neglecting to explore potential political culpability. Opposition parties have accused the government of concealing evidence and have called for its resignation.
During a televised segment of a cabinet meeting, Mitsotakis emphasized the need for heightened security measures during the upcoming protests to prevent any disruptive actions by unknown entities seeking to capitalize on the emotionally charged atmosphere. He condemned online rhetoric that appeared to be advocating violence and emphasized the importance of national unity in the pursuit of truth and justice. Mitsotakis underscored his government’s commitment to preventing any attempts to exploit the tragic events for purposes of political destabilization.
“It’s a national tragedy that should unite our society in the quest for transparency and accountability,” stated Mitsotakis. “Those who seek to transform the aftermath of this incident into a platform for violence will find us standing firmly against such actions.”
(Reporting by Angeliki Koutantou; editing by Philippa Fletcher)
