Greece opens trial over 2023 train crash that killed 57 people

Monday 23 March 2026 - 08:00

Greece has opened a long-awaited trial into the country’s deadliest rail disaster in decades, a 2023 train collision that claimed 57 lives and sparked nationwide outrage.

The tragedy occurred near the Tempi valley, when a passenger train traveling from Athens to Thessaloniki collided head-on with a freight train. Many of the passengers were students, making the incident particularly shocking for the nation.

The case has become a symbol of deeper structural issues within Greece’s rail system. Investigators have pointed to serious safety failures, outdated infrastructure, and delays in modernization projects that had been planned years earlier.

A total of 36 defendants, including railway officials and a station master, are now facing charges ranging from negligence to manslaughter. However, the absence of political figures among the accused has fueled criticism and intensified public frustration.

The trial is expected to be lengthy, with more than 350 witnesses scheduled to testify. Survivors, families of victims, and railway employees are all expected to provide key accounts as the court seeks to establish responsibility.

Public anger remains high. Demonstrations have taken place across the country, with citizens demanding accountability and reforms to prevent similar tragedies. On the opening day of the trial, railway workers staged a 24-hour strike, while protesters gathered outside the courthouse in Larissa.

The disaster also reignited debate over a delayed European Union-funded safety project intended to modernize signaling systems. Critics argue that if implemented on time, the crash might have been avoided.

The Greek government has rejected accusations of wrongdoing, pledging that justice will be delivered. For many families, however, the trial represents not only a legal process but a crucial step toward truth and accountability.