Tempi crash investigation: Dispute over hydrazine and xylene causes

A dispute has emerged between Maria Karystianou and Nikos Plakias regarding the chemical causes of the fireball during the Tempi train collision. During a recent interview, Karystianou suggested that the collision of two electric trains and silicone oils could not have produced the intensity of the fireball observed.

Karystianou cited findings related to xylene, toluene, and other aromatic hydrocarbons, as well as results from EODASAA and the Karoni experiment. She introduced hydrazine as a potential substance related to the ignition, noting its connection to aviation.

In response, Nikos Plakias criticized the shift in focus via social media, questioning why hydrazine is being introduced after 44 months of discussion centered on xylene. He suggested that the xylene found at the crash site and in state laboratories was actually a result of the combustion of train materials rather than a primary cause.