Latest news with #YannisPanagopoulos
Boston Globe
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Violent protests in Greece on rail crash anniversary as frustration at system failures boils over
Advertisement Violence also broke out on the fringes of a protest in the northern city of Thessaloniki, where dozens of hooded protesters broke away from the main rally to clash with riot police. In Athens, repeated rounds of clashes near Parliament left at least 20 people requiring medical attention, authorities said. Police said 120 people were detained, with 27 of them arrested, while another 35 people were detained in Thessaloniki. Confrontations spilled over into nearby streets, with groups of hooded protesters entering an archaeological site near the ancient Roman monument of Hadrian's Arch and pelting riot police with rocks. Unions called a general strike in support of the mass mobilization led by the victims' relatives. Critics say that politicians should be held accountable for failures that led up to the collision, but so far only rail officials have been charged with any crimes. The disaster in Tempe — the worst railway accident in Greece's history — left dozens injured and exposed deficiencies in transportation infrastructure. 'The full truth must come to light, and those responsible, no matter how high their position, must be held accountable,' said Yannis Panagopoulos, president of the General Confederation of Greek Workers, the country's largest labor union, which has backed Friday's strike. Flights and rail services were canceled, ferries halted and public transportation was severely disrupted. Businesses and public services have also been affected, with many stores in Athens and other cities closed, leaving messages of solidarity for the victims' families in front windows. Advertisement Demonstrations were taking place in more than 300 cities and towns in Greece and abroad. Protesters in Athens, chanting 'You count profits. We count lives,' carried black balloons and anti-government banners and blared aerosol horns. Athens municipal worker Costas Reintzopoulos said the rail crash had highlighted longstanding demands for safer working conditions. Eleven of those who died in the Tempe disaster were railway employees. 'Every day, there is a demand to know the truth about what happened, and every day there is demand for better safety measures in the workplace. That is a key reason why this remains relevant,' he said. 'We don't want to mourn more dead people, who leave in the morning to go to work and we don't know if they'll come back.' Memorial services were held at Orthodox churches in Athens for the victims, who included many university students returning from a long weekend. Their families had urged protesters to remain peaceful and keep the focus on remembrance rather than politics. Yet the demonstrations have created a politically precarious moment for Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' government. His conservatives maintain a strong lead in the polls, but public dissatisfaction over the Tempe disaster has led to surging support for anti-establishment parties on both the left and right. Opposition leaders, who are struggling to gain traction, are weighing whether to put forward a censure motion. Mitsotakis promised to continue work to improve rail safety, adding: 'Every Greek participates in this mourning, united under the common demand for truth.' The mountainous country is largely road-reliant and the Greek railway system is centered around a single route between Athens and Thessaloniki, a fact that made the collision harder for many to understand. Advertisement A long-awaited report from the investigation into the crash, released Thursday, blamed human error, outdated infrastructure and major systemic failures for the head-on collision. The aftermath was marked by scenes of chaos, with surviving passengers describing tumbling carriages, fires and smashed windows as they scrambled to escape. It was followed by the gruesome task of victim recovery and identification as many bodies were severely burned or dismembered. Funerals were held across numerous communities throughout Greece, many streamed or broadcast live, turning private grief into a shared national experience. Hours after the collision, Maria Krystianou rushed to the scene of the tragedy to search for her missing daughter, 21-year-old Maria-Thomai, as the train cars still smoldered. After a two-day wait, Maria-Thomai's death was finally confirmed with a DNA match. Krystianou, a 52-year-old pediatrician, has since become a leading figure in the campaign to hold politicians to account for the crash. This week she publicly thanked unions and associations that joined the protests, including doctors at public hospitals, and lawyers and judges who will hold a minute's silence in courts Friday. 'For those of us who had our children and loved ones on that train, a part of us remains with them and will never return. The unrelenting pain and the unimaginable reality are with us forever,' Krystianou told a crowd outside parliament. Pointing to the protesters, she added: 'This is for you, my girl, and for those of us who never made it.' Associated Press journalists Lefteris Pitarakis and Theodora Tongas in Athens and Costas Kantouris in Thessaloniki contributed. Advertisement
Los Angeles Times
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Violent protests and general strike roil cities across Greece
ATHENS, Greece — Riot police fired volleys of tear gas, stun grenades and water canon at protesters hurling gasoline bombs and smashed-up paving stones in Athens on Friday during a massive demonstration marking the second anniversary of Greece's worst rail disaster that has become a symbol of institutional failure. Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in cities across the country as part of a general strike called to demand justice for the 57 people killed on Feb. 28, 2023, when a passenger train collided head-on with a freight train. Among the largest demonstrations since Greece's debt crisis a decade ago, Friday's protests were fueled by public resentment against the conservative government's perceived lack of accountability in the wake of the disaster, and the slow pace of the investigation. Violence also broke out on the fringes of a protest in the northern city of Thessaloniki, where dozens of hooded protesters broke away from the main rally to clash with riot police. In Athens, repeated rounds of clashes near Parliament left at least 20 people requiring medical attention, authorities said. Police said 120 people were detained, with 27 of them arrested. Confrontations spilled over into nearby streets, with groups of hooded protesters entering an archaeological site near the ancient Roman monument of Hadrian's Arch and pelting riot police with rocks. Unions called a general strike in support of the mass mobilization led by the victims' relatives. Critics say that politicians should be held accountable for failures that led up to the collision, but so far only rail officials have been charged with any crimes. The rail disaster in Tempe left dozens injured and exposed deficiencies in transportation infrastructure. 'The full truth must come to light, and those responsible, no matter how high their position, must be held accountable,' said Yannis Panagopoulos, president of the General Confederation of Greek Workers, the country's largest labor union, which has backed Friday's strike. Flights and rail services were canceled, ferries halted and public transportation was severely disrupted. Businesses and public services have also been affected, with many stores in Athens and other cities closed, leaving messages of solidarity for the victims' families in front windows. Demonstrations were taking place in more than 300 cities and towns in Greece and abroad. Protesters in Athens, chanting 'You count profits. We count lives,' carried black balloons and anti-government banners and blared aerosol horns. Athens municipal worker Costas Reintzopoulos said the rail crash had highlighted longstanding demands for safer working conditions; eleven of those who died were railway employees. 'Every day, there is a demand to know the truth about what happened, and every day there is demand for better safety measures in the workplace. That is a key reason why this remains relevant,' he said. 'We don't want to mourn more dead people, who leave in the morning to go to work and we don't know if they'll come back.' Memorial services were held at Orthodox churches in Athens for the victims, who included many university students returning from a long weekend. Their families had urged protesters to remain peaceful and keep the focus on remembrance rather than politics. Yet the demonstrations have created a politically precarious moment for Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' government. His conservatives maintain a strong lead in the polls, but public dissatisfaction over the Tempe disaster has led to surging support for anti-establishment parties on both the left and right. Opposition leaders, who are struggling to gain traction, are weighing whether to put forward a censure motion. Mitsotakis promised to continue work to improve rail safety, adding: 'Every Greek participates in this mourning, united under the common demand for truth.' The mountainous country is largely road-reliant and the Greek railway system is centered on a single route between Athens and Thessaloniki, a fact that made the collision harder for many to understand. A long-awaited report from the investigation into the crash, released Thursday, blamed human error, outdated infrastructure and major systemic failures for the head-on collision. Surviving passengers described tumbling carriages, fires and smashed windows as they scrambled to escape. Bodies were severely burned or dismembered. Funerals across Greece, many streamed or broadcast live, turned private grief into a shared national experience. Hours after the collision, Maria Krystianou rushed to the scene of the tragedy to search for her missing daughter, 21-year-old Maria-Thomai, as the train cars still smoldered. After a two-day wait, Maria-Thomai's death was finally confirmed with a DNA match. Krystianou, a 52-year-old pediatrician, has since become a leading figure in the campaign to hold politicians to account for the crash. This week she publicly thanked unions and associations that joined the protests, including doctors at public hospitals, and lawyers and judges who will hold a minute's silence in courts Friday. 'For those of us who had our children and loved ones on that train, a part of us remains with them and will never return. The unrelenting pain and the unimaginable reality are with us forever,' Krystianou told a crowd outside parliament. Pointing to the protesters, she added: 'This is for you, my girl, and for those of us who never made it.' Gatopoulos and Becatoros write for the Associated Press. AP journalists Lefteris Pitarakis and Theodora Tongas in Athens and Costas Kantouris in Thessaloniki contributed to this report.
Sky News
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Protesters hurl petrol bombs and police fire tear gas as demonstration in Greece turns violent
Greek police have fired tear gas at demonstrators throwing petrol bombs after a protest marking the anniversary of the country's worst-ever train crash turned violent. Scores of hooded youths hurled Molotov cocktails, smashed paving stones and attempted to storm the barricades in front of parliament during clashes with police in central Athens. Riot police responded with volleys of tear gas and stun grenades. Hundreds of thousands of people have been taking part in rallies across the country to demand justice two years after the deadly crash. "You count profits. We count lives," protesters chanted in Athens, while some carried black balloons and anti-government banners. Fifty-seven people were killed when a passenger train filled with university students collided with a freight train in Tempe in 2023. The crash has become a symbol of institutional failure in the country. Protests are being held in dozens of towns and cities across Greece as part of a general strike which has grounded flights and halted sea and train transport. The demonstrations have been led by the relatives of the 57 people killed and are among the largest since the country's debt crisis more than a decade ago. International and domestic flights were grounded as air traffic controllers joined the strike. Seafarers, train drivers, doctors, lawyers and teachers are also taking part, with businesses and shops across the country shut. "The government hasn't done anything to get justice," said Christos Main, 57, a musician at the Athens rally. "This wasn't an accident, it was murder," he said. Yannis Panagopoulos, president of the General Confederation of Greek Workers, the country's largest labour union, which has backed the strike, said: "The full truth must come to light, and those responsible, no matter how high their position, must be held accountable. The demonstrations have been fuelled by resentment over the conservative government's perceived inaction after the crash exposed deficiencies in the country's transportation infrastructure. A long-awaited report on the investigation into the crash released on Thursday concluded that human error, outdated infrastructure and major systemic failures were to blame. It also found that safety gaps that caused the crash have not been filled. A separate judicial investigation remains unfinished. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis's government has faced criticism from relatives of the victims for failing to initiate a parliamentary inquiry into political responsibility. The government denies wrongdoing and says it is up to the judiciary to investigate.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
As anger mounts over rail disaster in Greece, workers strike and thousands are expected to protest
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Two years after a devastating train crash in northern Greece, a general strike and hundreds of planned demonstrations are bringing the nation to standstill to mark the anniversary of a tragedy that has become a symbol of institutional failure. The mass mobilization, led by relatives of the 57 people killed, has been fueled by public resentment against the conservative government's perceived inaction. Critics of the government say that politicians should be held accountable for failures that led up to the crash, but so far only rail officials have charged with any crimes. The Feb. 28, 2023, disaster in Tempe – where a passenger train collided head-on with an oncoming freight train – was Greece's worst railway accident. The fiery crash also left dozens injured and exposed deficiencies in the country's transportation infrastructure. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. 'The full truth must come to light, and those responsible, no matter how high their position, must be held accountable,' said Yannis Panagopoulos, president of the General Confederation of Greek Workers, the country's largest labor union, which has backed Friday's strike. 'Let us all take to the streets, expressing the outrage and demands of the overwhelming majority of the Greek people,' he said. Flights and rail services have been canceled, ferries halted and public transportation across the country has been severely disrupted. Private businesses and public services have also been affected, with many stores in Athens closed, leaving messages of solidarity for the victims' families in front windows. Demonstrations are planned in more than 300 cities and towns in Greece and abroad, with the parliament building in central Athens poised as the focal point. More than 5,000 police officers are being deployed in the capital to manage crowds and potential unrest. Memorial services will be held at Orthodox churches across the capital for the victims, who included many university students returning from a long weekend. The victims' families have urged protesters to keep the focus on remembrance rather than politics. 'This day is one of remembrance, respect and reflection,' an association representing the families said in a statement. 'It is dedicated to those who were unjustly lost, to the grieving families, and to the pursuit of justice that remains unresolved.' Yet the protests have created a politically precarious moment for Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' government. His ruling conservatives maintain a strong lead in the polls, but public dissatisfaction over the Tempe disaster has led to surging support for anti-establishment parties on both the left and right. Opposition leaders, who are struggling to gain traction, are weighing whether to put forward a censure motion. Mountainous Greece is largely road reliant and the nation's railway system is centered around a single route between Athens and the second largest city, Thessaloniki, a fact that made the collision harder for many to understand. A long-awaited report on the investigation into the Tempe crash, released Thursday, blamed human error, outdated infrastructure and major systemic failures for the head-on collision. The aftermath of the crash was marked by scenes of chaos, with surviving passengers describing tumbling carriages, fires and smashed windows as they scrambled to escape. It was followed by the gruesome task of victim recovery and identification as many bodies were severely burned or dismembered. Funerals were held across numerous communities throughout Greece, many streamed or broadcast live, turning private grief into a shared national experience. Hours after the collision, Maria Karystianou rushed to the scene of the tragedy to search for her missing daughter, 21-year-old Maria-Thomai, as the train cars still smoldered. After a frantic search for her daughter's name on lists of the injured, her death was confirmed with a DNA match after a two-day wait. The 52-year-old pediatrician has since become a leading figure in the campaign to hold politicians to account for the crash and this week publicly thanked unions and associations that joined the protests, including doctors at public hospitals, and lawyers and judges who will hold a minute's silence in courts Friday. 'With incredible emotion and pride,' she wrote in an online post, 'I wish I could give every one of you a warm embrace.'
Washington Post
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
As anger mounts over rail disaster in Greece, workers strike and thousands are expected to protest
ATHENS, Greece — Two years after a devastating train crash in northern Greece , a general strike and hundreds of planned demonstrations are bringing the nation to standstill to mark the anniversary of a tragedy that has become a symbol of institutional failure. The mass mobilization, led by relatives of the 57 people killed, has been fueled by public resentment against the conservative government's perceived inaction. Critics of the government say that politicians should be held accountable for failures that led up to the crash, but so far only rail officials have charged with any crimes. The Feb. 28, 2023, disaster in Tempe – where a passenger train collided head-on with an oncoming freight train – was Greece's worst railway accident. The fiery crash also left dozens injured and exposed deficiencies in the country's transportation infrastructure. 'The full truth must come to light, and those responsible, no matter how high their position, must be held accountable,' said Yannis Panagopoulos, president of the General Confederation of Greek Workers, the country's largest labor union, which has backed Friday's strike. 'Let us all take to the streets, expressing the outrage and demands of the overwhelming majority of the Greek people,' he said. Flights and rail services have been canceled, ferries halted and public transportation across the country has been severely disrupted. Private businesses and public services have also been affected, with many stores in Athens closed, leaving messages of solidarity for the victims' families in front windows. Demonstrations are planned in more than 300 cities and towns in Greece and abroad, with the parliament building in central Athens poised as the focal point. More than 5,000 police officers are being deployed in the capital to manage crowds and potential unrest. Memorial services will be held at Orthodox churches across the capital for the victims, who included many university students returning from a long weekend. The victims' families have urged protesters to keep the focus on remembrance rather than politics. 'This day is one of remembrance, respect and reflection,' an association representing the families said in a statement. 'It is dedicated to those who were unjustly lost, to the grieving families, and to the pursuit of justice that remains unresolved.' Yet the protests have created a politically precarious moment for Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' government. His ruling conservatives maintain a strong lead in the polls, but public dissatisfaction over the Tempe disaster has led to surging support for anti-establishment parties on both the left and right. Opposition leaders, who are struggling to gain traction, are weighing whether to put forward a censure motion. Mountainous Greece is largely road reliant and the nation's railway system is centered around a single route between Athens and the second largest city, Thessaloniki, a fact that made the collision harder for many to understand. A long-awaited report on the investigation into the Tempe crash, released Thursday, blamed human error, outdated infrastructure and major systemic failures for the head-on collision. The aftermath of the crash was marked by scenes of chaos, with surviving passengers describing tumbling carriages, fires and smashed windows as they scrambled to escape. It was followed by the gruesome task of victim recovery and identification as many bodies were severely burned or dismembered. Funerals were held across numerous communities throughout Greece, many streamed or broadcast live, turning private grief into a shared national experience. Hours after the collision, Maria Karystianou rushed to the scene of the tragedy to search for her missing daughter, 21-year-old Maria-Thomai, as the train cars still smoldered. After a frantic search for her daughter's name on lists of the injured, her death was confirmed with a DNA match after a two-day wait. The 52-year-old pediatrician has since become a leading figure in the campaign to hold politicians to account for the crash and this week publicly thanked unions and associations that joined the protests, including doctors at public hospitals, and lawyers and judges who will hold a minute's silence in courts Friday. 'With incredible emotion and pride,' she wrote in an online post, 'I wish I could give every one of you a warm embrace.'
