Miners union warns of soaring trend of industrial accidents in Greece

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) - The Greek Miners Federation (OME) warned of the soaring trend in industrial accidents following the death of a crane operator, 55, earlier this week in a marble quarry in Thessaloniki, media reports said Saturday.

“We have returned to the working Middle Ages with many casualties with injured and killed workers,” it said, citing the lack of adequate safety and health measures as well as inspections because of understaffing of the competent state authorities, according to public broadcaster ERT.

It noted that 104 workers died in the accident Thursday and 142 were seriously injured in 2022.

The situation worsened this year, it said, adding that fatal workplace accidents peaked at 179 in 2023.

“An increase has also been recorded in Europe, while the Greek increase being twice the European rate,” it said.​​​​​​​