This is a translated report by the Xekinima editorial board, edited for international readers
On Sunday, January 26, a massive wave of protests swept through cities across Greece as hundreds of thousands responded to the call of the TEMPI 2023 Accident Victims Association. Demonstrators demanded a thorough investigation into the real causes of the deadly head-on train collision and condemned the government’s attempts to cover it up (details below).
Rallies and actions were organised in 196 cities across Greece and abroad. From the northern borders with Turkey and Bulgaria to the island of Gavdos in the Libyan Sea, and from Corfu to Rhodes, people expressed their outrage through actions on an unprecedented scale in recent history. Notably, these mobilisations were largely spontaneous, as the Association had initially only called for a rally at Syntagma Square in Athens. Following that, individuals and communities across the country took the initiative to organise events in their own areas.
The call to oppose the cover-up also resonated with Greeks living abroad. Demonstrations were held from Reykjavik, Iceland, to Istanbul, Turkey, and from Cyprus to Oslo, Norway.
Huge Turnout
In Athens, estimates based on aerial photographs indicated that over 120,000 people filled the streets around Syntagma Square. Considering that the mobilisation lasted for three hours, with people continuously arriving and leaving, the total number of participants likely reached around 200,000. This was undoubtedly one of the largest protests in recent decades, comparable only to the massive rallies during the Memoranda period.
In Thessaloniki, the turnout was equally staggering, making it difficult to provide an accurate estimate. The city witnessed not only a rally but also a march that occupied the six-lane Egnatia Avenue, stretching across the city center for several hours. Demonstrators continued to join the march from streets intersecting with Egnatia. Some estimates placed the number of participants at over 60,000, possibly even reaching 100,000.
Massive rallies were also held in Patras, Volos, Larissa, and Crete. The crowds included families with young children, elderly individuals, student associations, workers’ unions, movements, parents’ associations, collectives, and left-wing organisations.
They Are Not Forgotten
On February 28, a passenger train traveling from Athens to Thessaloniki and a freight train heading in the opposite direction collided head-on. Fifty-seven people, most of them students, lost their lives that day. From the outset, the government attempted to scapegoat the Larissa stationmaster, framing the incident as a case of “human error.” However, subsequent information revealed a different story: the Train Control Management System, which could have prevented such accidents, had not been installed, and train movements were being handled manually. Furthermore, significant corruption and budget cuts in security were made to pave the way for the privatisation of the Hellenic Railways Organisation (OSE). These revelations compounded public grief with outrage, sparking massive strikes and protests, culminating in the near-general strike of March 8, 2023.
In recent months, new evidence has surfaced, igniting fresh anger on January 26. Independent investigations by victims’ families uncovered that nearly half of those who died in the crash had initially survived the crash but either burned alive or suffocated. This was due to the freight train carrying an undocumented and illegal load of aromatic compounds, commonly used for gas adulteration.
Some mobile phones automatically placed calls to the national emergency line after the crash, capturing voices of victims who were later found dead, saying, “I have no oxygen.” Video footage also shows a massive explosion that cannot be explained by the official account.
These shocking findings point to a government narrative attempting to cover up a network of illegal activities, implicating those responsible for the deaths of many passengers.
An “I Can’t Breathe” Moment
With slogans such as “Murderers,” “Justice,” “I Have No Oxygen,” and “The Crime of Tempi Will Not Be Forgotten,” the mobilisations sent a clear message: nothing has been forgotten. The anger and outrage over the tragedy and the attempted cover-up remain alive, even two years later. These protests also became a broader expression of the peoples’ frustration with the “crashes” and “cover-ups” they face daily: the dismantling of public services, the disregard for human life, and the corruption perpetuated and protected by those in power.
This collective anger must be channeled in an organised way against the government and the system that consistently produces such disasters.
The courage and determination of those who lost their children inspire others to join the struggle and strengthen those already fighting. This is precisely why government officials, mainstream media, and the police have worked hard to discredit and downplay the rally. Their fear is understandable. The revelations threaten to expose government officials who have concealed the truth for two years, including the prime minister himself, who supported a false narrative from day one.
It is unacceptable that public transportation remains in the hands of Hellenic Train when evidence of illegal trafficking of dangerous substances has come to light. The movement must demand the return of transport services to public ownership—nationalised without compensation—under social and workers control and management. Moreover, the individuals responsible for the illegal cargo, no matter how well-connected, must be identified and held accountable immediately.
We Must Continue and Escalate the Struggle
All signs indicate that people are not willing to accept this injustice without a fight—and certainly want to prevent further “accidents” like this one.
The legal battle launched by the Association is essential and must be fully supported. However, the outcome will mainly depend on sustained and escalating social pressure. For this reason, the historic mobilisation of January 26 must be followed by further action. Xekinima fully supports the movement and proposes the following:
- The next major mobilisation should take place on February 28, the anniversary of the collision. Trade unions must be pressured to call for a general strike on that day. The goal should be to halt all activity and fill the streets of every city with demonstrations. Farmers, who are already mobilising for their own demands, can contribute by blocking roads.
- Student occupations demanding justice for Tempi have already begun in schools in cities like Volos, Patras, and Athens. These occupations must grow in strength and take on a mass character.
- University student unions should organise assemblies with the aim of initiating occupations on campuses.
- In local neighborhoods, open and democratic united-front initiatives should be established to organise informational meetings and local actions in support of the Tempi cause.
The next month will be critical for this struggle. Weekly actions such as marches, events, strikes in public transport, and other forms of protest must be organised to escalate the pressure.
The mobilisation on January 26 demonstrated that a significant portion of the population refuses to accept the current state of affairs as normal. If this wave of people organises itself effectively, it can deliver devastating blows to the government and the system it upholds.
