The worst train accident in the history of Greece: death toll rises to 36

 

The death toll has risen to at least 36 after two trains collided head-on in northern Greece. Apart from this, many people were injured.

A freight train collided with a 350 passenger train on Tuesday night. The regional governor said that the first two compartments of the passenger train were completely destroyed by fire.

After the accident in the northern Greek city of Larissa, rescue workers carried out rescue operations throughout the night. It is being described as the worst accident in Greece's recent history.

The head of the railway union told Greek local media that it is still unclear how the accident happened.

the world

The worst train accident in the history of Greece: death toll rises to 36

Published: March 01, 2023 19:48

The worst train accident in the history of Greece: death toll rises to 36

  Online desk

The worst train accident in the history of Greece: death toll rises to 36

The first two coaches of the train were completely gutted by the fire. Photo: Reuters

The death toll has risen to at least 36 after two trains collided head-on in northern Greece. Apart from this, many people were injured.

A freight train collided with a 350 passenger train on Tuesday night. The regional governor said that the first two compartments of the passenger train were completely destroyed by fire.

After the accident in the northern Greek city of Larissa, rescue workers carried out rescue operations throughout the night. It is being described as the worst accident in Greece's recent history.

The head of the railway union told Greek local media that it is still unclear how the accident happened.

10 seconds of nightmare

28-year-old Stergios Menenis saved his life by jumping from the train. He said, 'We hear a loud noise. We were rolling in the compartment of the train. Then it rolled and stopped on one side, then everyone panicked. Wires hanging around, fire. The fire caught on immediately. We were on fire.'

Describing the incident, he told Reuters, "There was extreme chaos for 10-15 seconds. One is falling over another, wires hanging from above, broken windows all around, people screaming.'

Passengers said they had to break windows to get out of the train.

According to local media, an investigation has been started to find out the cause of the accident. No preliminary ideas are available yet. In Greece, it is being described as the worst accident in the country's history. More than 150 firefighters and 30 ambulances are working at the scene.

Regional Governor Kostas Agorastos said the collision between the two trains was very intense. In an interview given to state television, he said, "It was a terrible night, the scene is difficult to describe."

The first four coaches of the passenger train derailed and the first two coaches caught fire, he said adding, "Both the trains were moving at a high speed and the driver did not know that another train was coming from the opposite direction."

"I have never seen anything like this in my entire life," an exhausted rescue worker told AFP. Very sad scene. Even after five hours we are still finding bodies here.'

Three days of national mourning have been declared in Greece after the accident. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the crash site. He promised to find out how such an accident happened and take measures to prevent it from happening again.

Source: BBC