Tempi railway trial continues with survivor and relative testimonies

Tempi train accident trial Greek railway safety Larissa court proceedings railway negligence Intercity 62 collision

The trial regarding the Tempi railway tragedy continues in Larissa, entering its seventh week of proceedings. This week, the court has scheduled two sessions featuring 12 witnesses, including relatives of the victims and survivors of the collision.

Testimonies from survivors, such as Aristidis Karatzounis, have provided harrowing accounts of the accident, describing a scene akin to a war movie characterized by sudden braking, intense heat, and the smell of burning metal. Relatives of the victims have expressed profound grief and anger, alleging that safety systems had been non-functional for years and accusing authorities of concealing safety issues to protect ticket revenue.

A total of 36 current and former officials from Greek railway organizations, including OSE, ERGOSE, Hellenic Train, and RASP, face charges. Of these, 33 are accused of dangerous interference with fixed-track communications with potential intent. The proceedings are expected to continue with 23 sessions remaining before the Christmas break, with the final session of the year scheduled for December 16.

Entities

Aristidis Karatzounis · Elisavet Chatzivasiliou · Gabriela Forgian · Hellenic Train · HellenicTrain · Larissa · Larissa Court of Appeals · Larissa Three-Member Court of Appeals · Ministry of Transport · OSE · Tempi

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[DISPUTED] Twelve witnesses are scheduled to testify during two sessions this week. www.in.gr · athina984.gr · www.insider.gr · seleo.gr · www.capital.gr · +6 more
[DISPUTED] The trial for the Tempi railway accident is in its seventh week. www.in.gr · athina984.gr · www.insider.gr · seleo.gr · www.capital.gr · +6 more
[● 12 SOURCES] A total of 36 former and current officials from Greek railway organizations are defendants. www.in.gr · athina984.gr · www.insider.gr · seleo.gr · www.capital.gr · +4 more
[● 12 SOURCES] The last session of the year is scheduled for December 16. www.in.gr · athina984.gr · www.insider.gr · seleo.gr · www.capital.gr · +4 more
[● 12 SOURCES] 33 of the 36 defendants are charged with dangerous interference with fixed-track communications with potential intent. www.in.gr · athina984.gr · www.insider.gr · seleo.gr · www.capital.gr · +4 more
[● 2 SOURCES] Dimitris Kyriakidis testified that his father's biological material was found 1.5 years later at the crash site. www.sofokleousin.gr
[● 2 SOURCES] Lawyer Zoe Konstantopoulou claimed there is a serious attempt to overturn a useful investigation regarding the burials. www.sofokleousin.gr · www.insider.gr
[● 5 SOURCES] Aristidis Karatzounis testified that he was ejected from the carriage during the collision. www.larissapress.gr · www.dimokratia.gr · www.reader.gr · www.efsyn.gr
[● 5 SOURCES] Gabriela Forgian alleged that false information was provided to the public to prevent loss of ticket revenue. kosmoslarissa.gr · e-thessalia.gr · www.thessaliatv.gr · www.newsbomb.gr · www.businessdaily.gr
[● 4 SOURCES] Survivor Aristidis Karatzounis described the moment of collision as a sudden braking. www.larissapress.gr · www.efsyn.gr · www.reader.gr
[● 2 SOURCES] Gabriela Forgian testified that she believed the train was the safest mode of transport before the accident. kosmoslarissa.gr · e-thessalia.gr