Viewers can listen to our live participation on 07 March 2023 at Vergina TV Athens desk program on the rail disaster which shook Greece, Europe and with consequences for all just before midnight 28 February to 1st March. It was one of Greece’s worst-ever disasters, which in our view goes beyond human error… A passenger train from Athens to Thessaloniki (north Greece) collided with a cargo train as both were on the same track… at Evangelismos village at Tembi after Larisa. A despicable disaster with many university students losing their lives; end of the story…
Moderated by Stergios Kalogiros, participants included journalist Spyros Papadakis from Ellada FM , Constitutionalist and politician (former MEP with Syriza elected in 2014 and now PASOK-KINAl’s political council) prof. Kostas Hrysogonos, and John Faraclas from allaboutshipping in London.
Questions and issues raised:
- What is the regime of Rail Transport in UK… (for comparison reasons with Greece). The ownership issue etc…
- The consequences for Greece’s political parties given the over 50 passengers killed dozens wounded and over 50 missing..
- What is to follow…
- Minister of Transport’s resignation…
- Who is to blame for all this mess…
- What’s happening now and what will follow…
- The political consequences…
Important aspects in avoiding train accidents is the system used in controlling rail movements and the personnel capabilities as well as numbers supervising all, repeat all issues at all material time.
No excuses, as safety to all intents and purposes matters more than one can imagine. In the Shipping Industry we have reduced sea-accidents to a great extent keeping regulatory safety aspects to the fore. Time for offshore.
I guess “Nevermindness” (ohaderfismos in Greek οχαδερφισμος) is to blame on all aspects of this particular disaster.
A full investigation should not only be carried-out, but same must go back for at least 25 years. Those responsible should be fully punished whatever it takes. The European Union too MUST act swiftly given its past concerns and legal action already being taken, even long before this catastrophe!!!!
Part of Intermodalism, rail transport in its entirety is of paramount importance.
The Greek’s have a word for this; catastrophe!
Watch this space.
