As the investigations on the Tempi train crash continue to move forward, with new expert reports on the details of the crash expected, and the debate on the government’s responsibilities heating up, Prime Minister Mitsotakis attempted to mitigate the negative effects on his government while addressing his ministers during a cabinet meeting on Friday at the Maximos Mansion.
In his opening remarks, Mitsotakis stated: “A difficult week marked by the tragedy in Tempi comes to a close today.” He emphasized that the country is now in the final phase of investigations into what he described as a major national trauma.”
He reiterated that justice will ultimately determine the outcome, adding that this was the reason he spoke openly and sincerely about the issue earlier this week. “Justice will judge and decide,” he said, while stressing that the government and the parliamentary majority remain ready at any moment to present their positions in Parliament and to society at large.
Mitsotakis acknowledged the challenges ahead but expressed confidence in overcoming them, stating that the government would rely on truth and action as its guiding principles. He called for increased vigilance and acceleration of efforts, insisting that projects that would typically take a year must now be completed within months.
The Greek Prime Minister in an extensive sit-down TV interview mid-week, effectively backtracked on his initial conclusions in 2023 after the tragic Tempi train crash, which killed 57 people, where he had ruled out the train freight was carrying illicit flammable material, leaving the possibility open.
The Tempi crash, the greatest railway accident in Greek history, caused outrage which culminated in huge nationwide protests last Sunday with thousands of citizens demanding justice for the victims, full transparency in the investigations, and accountability.
The Greek government has agreed to a pre-agenda parliamentary debate on the Tempi train crash, following a formal request submitted by opposition parties SYRIZA and the Communist party (KKE).
