Trial for the Tempi train accident continues following organizational changes

The trial regarding the February 28, 2023, train accident in Tempi, which resulted in 57 deaths and hundreds of injuries, is proceeding at the Larissa Three-Member Criminal Court of Appeals. The proceedings at the University of Thessaly conference center were initially disrupted by overcrowding and logistical issues, leading to a session suspension and subsequent structural modifications to the courtroom. Relatives of victims and lawyers have expressed strong concerns regarding the adequacy of the venue, with victim relative Nikos Plakias calling for decorum and the exclusion of individuals not involved in the legal process. Meanwhile, the Athens Administrative Court of First Instance recently ruled that the Greek State holds responsibility for the systemic failure of the railway network. This ruling resulted in the first compensation award of 400,000 euros to four relatives of one victim. The court’s decision explicitly cited negligent oversight by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport as a causal factor in the tragedy. Security measures at the trial location remain strict to ensure the orderly conduct of the legal proceedings.