Rail safety under scrutiny again after train loses way
A recent railway incident in Athens has raised fresh concerns about the country’s train system, just 20 months after the tragic Tempe crash in central Greece.
On October 9, a suburban train (Kantza-Ano Liosia) was was mistakenly directed onto a metro line near Doukissis Plakentias station, forcing it to reverse course. Although no injuries occurred, the mistake revealed communication failures between train operators and traffic controllers.
Greek rail operator Hellenic Train and the national railway organization, OSE, blamed the error on staff, despite the signaling systems functioning correctly. The mishap is being investigated, but it underscores deeper problems, including poor training and staff shortages.
Tensions between workers and management have grown, with train drivers calling for better safety measures. Meanwhile, critics argue that reforms after the Tempe disaster, which killed 57 people, remain insufficient. Staffing and training issues continue to plague the system, with delays in hiring new personnel exacerbating the situation.
