Thousands of Greeks take to streets to mark 1 year since tragic Tempi train accident

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) - Tens of thousands of Greeks took to the streets to mark one year since a tragic train accident killed 57 victims in the town of Tempi.

Families of victims, students, pensioners, farmers and activists joined striking public servants and workers from different industries in a march to central Syntagma Square in Athens where parliament is located.

Protesters marched through the streets while chanting: “Either their profits or our lives”, "You count profits and losses, we count human lives” and “This crime will not be forgotten,” among other slogans.

The crowd protested the soaring living cost and public servants chanted for a pay raise and more hiring in the public sector.

Banners condemning Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip and Palestinian flags were also visible in the crowd.

When a small group of anarchists threw Molotov cocktails at police, authorities responded with tear gas.

Rallies were also held in different parts of the country, including the northern port city of Thessaloniki, the western port city of Patra and the central town of Katerini.

A passenger train collided with a freight train near Tempi in the northern Larissa region on Feb. 28, 2023.

Many of the victims who died included university students and nine crew members.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​