Probe ordered into train routing mishap, as railway safety concerns mount
Yet another safety breach on Greece’s railway has prompted an urgent judicial investigation, with Athens’ chief prosecutor, Apostolos Andreou, on Thursday seeking answers as to why a Suburban Railway (Proastiakos) train was routed onto a metro track.
The incident, which was reported by the union of train drivers (PEPE), took place on October 9 near the Doukissis Plakentias station in northern Athens and involved a commuter train on the Kantza-Ano Liosia route being mistakenly directed onto the metro Line 3 track. It reportedly had to back out to return to its proper position.
The error is being attributed to a stationmaster at the central Acharnes Railway Center and the train driver who appears to have ignored two warning signals. Both have been suspended from duty.
The Hellenic Railways Organization (OSE) said that the incident did not put any passengers at risk, while Hellenic Train, which operates the country’s trains, said that it has activated disciplinary procedures.
However, the incident underscores mounting concerns about safety systems on Greece’s national and suburban railway network in the wake of last year’s deadly crash at Tempe and a string of potentially dangerous incidents in the months since.
