The Larissa station, in Greece, was searched this Friday by the police as part of the investigation into the causes of the crash between two trains and “audio files, documents and other evidence that can help to clarify the case and assign criminal responsibilities” .
An audio recording proves that the accident was a human error and blames the manager of the Larissa station, arrested this Thursday, because he authorized a train with 342 passengers and 10 railway workers to follow the same track on which it was already circulating, in opposite direction, a freight train
The trains traveled several kilometers along the same track, which connects Athens with Thessaloniki, the two largest Greek cities, before colliding head-on before midnight. At least 57 died and more than 100 people were injured.
“Continue through the red light exit to the Neón Porón traffic light,” is heard in the recording of the communications between the station manager and one of the drivers involved in the accident, reveals CNN.
The driver asks if he can really go ahead: “Can I go ahead?” and, in response, the station master insists: “go, go.”
Later in the journey, the train conductor asks, “Should I turn around now?”, but receives a negative answer: “No, no, because 1564 is on that road.”
The head of the Larisa train station was arrested this Thursday and according to the defense “acknowledged the mistake”. He is suspected of manslaughter, negligent bodily harm and transportation security disturbance, offenses for which he could be sentenced to life in prison.
Greek Transport Minister Costas Karamanlis resigned after the accident. The new minister, Giorgos Gerapetritis, apologized to the families of the victims.
Source: TSF
