Strike halts all Greek trains in protest over fatal crash

Station master takes responsability

The station master on duty during Greece's worst train tragedy which killed at least 46 people has "confessed" his responsibility over the accident, the government spokesman said Thursday.

"I believe the responsibility, the negligence, the error has been confessed by the station master," Yiannis Economou told reporters.

What we know about Greece's worst train tragedy

Public sector failures in Greece preceded the country's worst train tragedy that has left at least 46 dead, the government spokesman said Thursday.

Yiannis Economou said delays in installing safeguards on the train route where the accident took place Tuesday were caused by "chronic malaise and decades of failure" in state management.

Striking rail workers

Striking rail workers paralysed Greece's train services on Thursday in protest at government management of the network, saying it contributed to the fatal collision that killed at least 47.

Announcing the 24-hour shutdown, the rail union federation denounced a "lack of respect towards Greece's rail network by successive governments over the years, which led to this tragic result".

"Unfortunately, our constant requests for more permanent staff, improved training and, above all, the introduction of modern safety technology, were all just ditched," the rail federation said.

The collision of a freight train with a passenger train carrying over 350 people is Greece's worst rail disaster ever.

It has sparked angry protests alleging government negligence in overseeing the rail network.

Athens metro employees also walked off the job on Thursday for a strike that will last until midnight (2200 GMT), saying the system suffered from "similar problems" to those of the overland rail network.

"For years our union has complained of massive shortages of equipment and replacement parts, and a huge shortage of staff... which forces workers to do long and exhausting days," it said.

In 2017, Greek state rail operator Trainose was acquired by the Italian public company Ferrovie Dello Stato Italiane (FS) and renamed Hellenic Train -- part of a sweeping privatisation programme mandated by Greece's creditors during the country's decade-long debt crisis.

Human toll 

At least 47 people have been confirmed dead by the fire department, but several more are known to have been trapped in the restaurant car and have yet to be extricated.

Most of the casualties were in the first three carriages, which included first-class seats.

Over 80 people were hurt. Most of the passengers were students returning to Thessaloniki after a long Carnival weekend.