In recent weeks, the anger at the lack of accountability following the Tempi train crash brought hundreds of thousands of people to the streets in Greece, making headlines around the world.
The protest, which was combined with a nationwide general strike, marked the second anniversary of the accident. On 28th February 2023, 57 people were killed and dozens more were injured following the collision of a passenger train with a cargo train near the Tempi gorge in central Greece.
Two years on, there’s still no justice for those affected. The authorities seem to have attempted to sweep the deaths under the carpet. This is all too familiar to us.
At RLS, we frequently see the Greek authorities fail to take accountability for their actions which causes widespread devastation, often with little regard for the rule of law.
We regularly hear from clients about the dangers they face on their journeys to Greece. Many experience violence and several have experienced pushbacks – where their boats are literally pushed back towards Turkey – whilst trying to reach safety.
Last week, Refugee Support Aegean (RSA) published new data on shipwrecks in Greece in 2024. Their findings are devastating. 61 people seeking safety died, and 59 remain missing.
When combined with the limited data from the Turkish side of the Aegean, RSA estimates that in 2024, at least 171 people lost their lives or remain missing in the Aegean across 35 shipwrecks involving people on the move.
The Greek authorities refuse to take accountability for the deaths of these people, despite claims that many of these deaths could have been avoided if the boats had received help.
This callous approach was demonstrated most clearly following the Pylos shipwreck of June 2023, where at least 650 people died. There’s evidence to suggest that the actions of the coast guard caused the fatal shipwreck. They failed to respond to initial distress calls, and they allegedly towed the fishing boat, which caused it capsize. However, two years on, there’s still no justice for victims, survivors and the loved ones of those affected.
The Greek authorities need to be held accountable for their failings, which have caused the deaths of far too many people. We stand with the protestors calling for justice for the Tempi train collision victims and survivors, and we urge the Greek authorities to make urgent, systemic change. Everyone affected by their shortcomings deserves justice.
