Athens (EFE). – Rail transport in Greece has begun to gradually reactivate this Wednesday, 21 days after the frontal collision of two trains that left 57 dead and paralyzed circulation on the country’s railways until today.
Several commuter trains in Athens and Patras were back in service early on Wednesday, as were various tourist routes in central and southern Greece.
Although the Government had planned to resume intercity and merchandise routes in the north of the country, these are still suspended because the train drivers refuse to drive the convoys, as they stress that there are still security problems on these routes.
In a letter sent on Tuesday, the train drivers’ union to Hellenic Train, the company that operates the Hellenic railways, points out that at various points on these routes communication between train and station is not possible, while there are unguarded crossings for cars some.
It also asks the company for “a written confirmation” that it is safe to go through a series of tunnels in which the Firefighters had registered “security problems”.
According to the Government’s plan, the rail service, both for merchandise and passengers, will gradually resume until April 11.
“It is necessary to restart (the service) of trains to regain public confidence,” said the interim Minister of Transportation, Yorgos Yerapetritis, who stressed that while the tracks are in disuse, the risk of theft or deterioration increases. of the infrastructures.
Head-on collision with 57 dead
On February 28 at 11:21 p.m. local time (21:21 GMT) a passenger train collided head-on with a cargo train north of the city of Larisa, causing 57 deaths, mostly university students.
The Greek Prime Minister, the conservative Kyriakos Mitstotakis, acknowledged that in the specific section he did not have security systems that could have prevented the tragedy.
The Italian state company Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane operates the Hellenic Train, although the country’s railway infrastructure depends on the state company OSE.