The long-awaited trial for the Tempi railway tragedy begins today at the Three-Member Criminal Court of Appeals of Larissa, a process expected to become a landmark for Justice and Greek society as a whole. Three years after the deadly accident of February 28, 2023, the start of the trial marks the effort to investigate responsibilities and deliver justice for the 57 victims.
The proceedings will be conducted in a specially configured 600-square-meter hall at the GAIOPOLIS conference center of the University of Thessaly, under strict security measures. From early morning hours, victims’ relatives, defendants, lawyers and crowds of citizens are expected to gather there, in an atmosphere of intense emotional tension. The court president will declare the start of proceedings at 9 AM, with 36 defendants sitting in the dock.
Trial begins for Tempi at Three-Member Criminal Court of Appeals of Larissa
This is a landmark trial, not only due to the large number of defendants, but also because of the broader social and political interest surrounding it. For the first time, victims’ relatives will face the defendants, demanding answers and justice.
The list of defendants includes individuals from different levels of responsibility. Among them is the Larissa station master who was on duty that fatal night, his two colleagues accused of abandoning their posts, and the OSE supervisor. Additionally, 26 former presidents, managing directors and executives of OSE and ERGOSE are charged, along with the former president of the Railway Regulatory Authority, two directors from the Transport Ministry, two senior Hellenic Train executives, and a committee member who approved the station master’s transfer.
Serious charges and potential life imprisonment
The charges they face are particularly serious. For 33 of them, the felony charge of dangerous intervention in fixed-track transport with possible intent applies – a crime that can carry life imprisonment in cases of multiple deaths, as in the Tempi railway tragedy. Additionally, each of the 36 faces misdemeanor charges including negligent homicide in series, serious and simple bodily harm by negligence, and breach of duty.
The court composition resulted from a draw and consists of President Georgia Stefanidou, with Ioanna Kosina as substitute. Court members are Dimitris Christopoulos and Chrysovalantis Letsios, with Maria Tsana as substitute member. Angeliki Kourinioti was appointed prosecutor, with Philippos Karatsidis as substitute.
The Tempi tragedy left behind 57 dead, 32 seriously injured and 149 lightly injured, while 264 other passengers faced danger. The railway tragedy caused shock and anger throughout the country. Questions that arose concern not only the human error of that fatal evening, but also chronic deficiencies, delays in critical infrastructure projects, and gaps in railway network supervision and operation.
According to the indictment, responsibilities are not limited to isolated acts, but extend to a broader web of omissions and systemic weaknesses.
Victims’ relatives state they don’t seek revenge, but justice and truth. As they emphasize, the trial represents a critical opportunity to reveal what really happened and ensure there will be no more “other Tempis.” Prosecution support advocates stress the process will be long and painful, requiring patience and trust in institutions.
Tension before Tempi trial begins – Complaints and confrontations
However, the atmosphere before the trial’s start is particularly tense. In recent days, unprecedented scenes were recorded at Larissa courts, with victims’ relatives and lawyers making complaints and even videotaping inside court premises, causing strong reactions from judicial circles.
The Union of Judges and Prosecutors, in a stern announcement, spoke of “unprecedented scenes” reminiscent of “Wild West scenes,” denouncing pressure on judicial officials and attempts to undermine proceedings. It also made pointed references to political exploitation of the case and called on the State to take measures ensuring the trial’s smooth conduct.
For their part, victims’ relatives speak of evidence concealment and obstacles in accessing critical evidence, such as photos and videos from the tragedy night. They denounce delays, lack of information and a general sense of opacity that intensifies their anguish and anger. Tension peaked just 24 hours before the trial’s start, with public confrontations and serious accusations from both sides.
The only certainty is that the proceedings expected to begin today will last for a long time, with estimates suggesting at least two years, due to the large number of witnesses reaching 350, the trial participants with over 250 lawyers, and the significant issues under the trial’s microscope.
In any case, this hearing process must provide answers to all questions and illuminate all points that led to the Tempi railway tragedy.
