At least 32 people were killed and 85 injured in a collision between a passenger train and a freight train in northern Greece on Tuesday evening, according to a fire service report.
“Thirty-two passengers have been found dead,” Greek fire service spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said at a press conference today, adding that rescue operations were still underway.
“Of the 85 injured, 53 remain in hospital,” he added.
For now, no details have been brought forward about what led to the collision. According to the Associated Press, several wagons derailed and at least three caught fire after the accident, which occurred shortly before midnight (22:00 GMT) near Tempe, about 380 kilometers north of the Greek capital Athens.
Initial analyzes by the ‘media’ point to human error, with the two trains running on the same track. However, it is also possible that one of the trains derailed and collided with the other one that was on a different track, according to the Greek television channel SKAI TV.
According to the country’s media, this is already “the worst rail accident Greece has ever seen”.
Rail operator Hellenic Train said the passenger train, which connected Athens to the northern city of Thessaloniki, was carrying about 350 people at the time of the collision.
According to statements by Tempe Mayor Yorgos Manolis to public broadcaster ERT, many students were on the train after a long weekend.
About 150 firefighters and 40 ambulances arrived at the scene, according to the Greek emergency services.
“It was a very strong collision. This is a terrible night (…) It is difficult to describe the scenario,” the governor of the region of Thessaly told state television.
“The front part of the train has been destroyed (…) We are receiving cranes and special lifting equipment to remove the debris and lift the wagons. Debris is scattered around the accident site,” added Costas Agorastos.
Source: DN
