Tragedy

The Tempe rail tragedy has inflicted a deep injury on Greek society. The extent and intensity of the public's anger is such that it cannot be placated with legal arguments and parliamentary maneuvers.

On the other hand, there is no doubt that the issue is being exploited politically by certain circles and that it is breeding all sorts of conspiracy theories.

A devastating incident unfolded in the Bulgarian town of Kazanlak as a fourth-grade student tragically lost his life in the schoolyard. The heart-wrenching event occurred following a routine physical education class, leaving the entire community in shock and mourning.

Former transport and infrastructure minister Kostas A. Karamanlis, who resigned in the aftermath of the deadly train collision in central Greece that claimed 57 lives and left scores injured on February 28, 2023, issued a statement on the one-year anniversary of the incident on Wednesday.

There are times to keep silent. When we can only lower our heads and allow words that must be heard to fly unimpeded to the farthest corners of the land, to wherever on earth Greeks dwell. Because, despite the great progress of the past 200 years, we must acknowledge that our country still does not secure the basic needs of its children, of all its inhabitants.

“Fortunately, what once was tragedy is now a comedy at best. Fortunately, Brussels is not Moscow. Moscow was a tragedy. Brussels is just a bad contemporary parody”

Today is World Refugee Day. It is also the day of humanitarian posturing for political leaders, religious groups, international organizations and sundry philanthropists sending their customary "messages" of support and sympathy.

Alexis Papahelas penned a powerful opinion piece in the wake of the tragic train crash - "The Sisyphean task of transforming Greece" - in which he argues that Greece is changing, but important areas are being left behind.

Every major tragedy in Greece is met with a lot of dust and noise. Briefly. Then the matter vanishes. The course of justice is desperately slow. Catharsis takes so long in coming, the matter is forgotten or loses its urgency. 

Iliana Magra, a journalist with Kathimerini who covered the accident, joins Thanos Davelis from Athens with the latest on what we know about the deadly rail crash in Greece this week, the current situation at the site of the accident, the reaction among Greeks, and the steps the government is taking in response to this tragedy.

Wednesday's tragedy at Tempe in central Greece should serve as a wake-up call for the entire political system. Answers will be demanded over the lives that were lost and those that were irreparably damaged by injury or trauma, as will decisions that will ensure such a tragedy never happens again.