Riots follow massive demonstrations over Greek rail disaster
Towards the end of a gathering of more than 170,000 people in Athens, demonstrators threw Molotov cocktails towards the special police units positioned around the parliament. There were also riots in Thessaloniki.
Police described the rioters in Athens as between 500 and 700 "radicals." Police fired tear gas and used water cannon. There were 20 arrests, and 70 people were taken into custody.
Thirteen people, including police officers, were taken to hospital with injuries, according to ERTnews, which cited rescue workers. The injuries included burns and respiratory problems, but none of the victims were in critical condition.
People demand accountability
The predominantly peaceful nationwide strikes and demonstrations were directed at the government. People are demanding clarification of the circumstances surrounding the accident in Tempi, to the south-west of Thessaloniki, in which 57 mainly young people lost their lives.
The police estimated that several hundred thousand people took part in the demonstrations nationwide.
Trade unions and opposition parties are accusing the government of a cover-up. Many people are demanding that politicians take responsibility.
Demonstrators held up placards with slogans including "no cover up" and "we won't forget anything."
Report finds serious errors
This week, the first official report by the Air and Rail Accident Investigation Authority was presented. It highlighted the dire state of Greece's railways and found serious investigative errors following the accident.
The crash site was not properly mapped and fire services, rescue teams and police failed to coordinate effectively, the report found.
It gave no insight, however, on suspicions levelled by families of the victims that the freight train had been illegally transporting flammable hazardous materials.
The government has rejected these accusations. The authorities and the judiciary are conducting independent investigations, but they are taking a long time due to the enormous amount of evidence, the government has said.
Cross-party protests
The demand for political accountability is putting increasing pressure on the conservative government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
In a rare show of unity, Greeks from across the political spectrum joined the protests and strikes on Friday which crippled transport services and shuttered government offices and schools.
Unlike in previous protests, many self-employed people and private businesses also participated, with numerous tavernas, cafés and supermarkets shutting their doors. Church bells rang out in many communities.
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