People donate blood for the injured passengers of the train collision in Larissa, about 355 kilometers (222 miles) north of Athens, Greece, Wednesday, March 1, 2023. The prime minister blamed tragic human error, the police arrested a station manager, and the transport minister announced his resignation. Rescuers searched for survivors Wednesday in the mangled, burned-out wreckage of two trains that slammed into each other in northern Greece, killing at least The passenger train, carrying around 350 people, crashed head-on with the freight train in Thessaly, Greece, becoming the deadliest railway accident on record in the country. As Greece sought to process the tragedy, railway workers nationwide walked off the job on Thursday, saying successive governments had ignored repeated demands to improve safety standards. 'Windows were being smashed and people were screaming One of the windows caved in from the impact of iron from the other train,' another passenger, who escaped from the fifth carriage, told Skai TV. Television footage showed red cranes looming over the twisted, charred wreckage, as police and rescue workers in fluorescent jackets surveyed the scene. Many of the passengers were college students and other young people, Greeces health minister, Thanos Plevris, told reporters. The crash occurred as the passenger train emerged from a tunnel (pictured). The cause of the deadliest rail crash in Greece in decades remains unclear but the PM said it was likely 'tragic human error' He has worked for the town of Greece since 1997 and for the Greece Police Department for more than two decades, starting in 2000. Delta agrees 34% pay rise for pilots - worth up to $90k - with other major airlines set to follow suit, Robert F. Kennedy's assassin Sirhan Sirhan, 78, is DENIED parole because he still refuses to reveal reason for 1968 murder of the senator and then-presidential candidate, Trans teacher with prosthetic Z-cup breasts is FINALLY put on leave after it was revealed they don't wear the fake boobs outside of school - as parents line up to criticize school board at meeting, I'm a Feng Shui expert and these are the three things I will never allow in a bedroom - and you're likely to be guilty of having at least one, Nightmare! He was due to appear before a prosecutor Thursday to be formally charged. A motorcyclist went to the hospital with serious injuries Friday. Images showed him holding his hands up to his face in disbelief and horror at the scene. That was in part because of budget problems and in part because the system was not fully operational to prevent such accidents, the official said. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? The European Union, of which Greece is a member, has binding rules on rail safety, including on conditions for issuing safety certificates for train companies, an obligation for member nations to set up national railway safety authorities and independent bodies for investigating accidents. The prime minister said that he had appointed Giorgos Gerapetritis, who is a close aide, as a temporary successor to Mr. Karamanlis. Larissa's chief coroner, Roubini Leondari, said 43 bodies had been brought to her for examination and would require DNA identification as they were largely disfigured. 'Fortunately we were in the penultimate car and we got out alive. 'Everything shows that the drama was, sadly, mainly due to a tragic human error,' Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis - who is seeking re-election this year - said in a televised address. Green vehicles: which motorisation for which use? This is indicated in the route summary. Temperatures reached 1,300 degrees Celsius (2,372 degrees Fahrenheit), which makes it even more difficult to identify the people who were in it, fire service spokesperson Vassilis Varthakoyiannis said. According to New York State Police, which is investigating the crash, interim Greece Police Chief Jason Helfer was driving west on Kuhn Road,near Country Place Lane, when another vehicle drove into the path of his town-issued sport utility vehicle. You can also transfer your calculated routes from your computer to the app: to do this, you must save it in your Favourites via your Michelin account. Pope Francis offered condolences to the families of the dead in a message sent to the president of the Greek bishops conference by the Vaticans secretary of state. Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Karamanlis resigned Wednesday, saying he felt it was his "duty" to step down. Outside the Larissa General Hospital, where most of the injured were being treated and coroners were working to identify the dead, relatives awaited news about missing loved ones. From 2018 to 2020, the country had the highest railway fatality rate among 28 European countries per million train kilometers, according to a 2022 report by the European Union Agency for Railways. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. In total, 118 stories have been published about Greece, New York which Ground News has aggregated in the past 3 months. It was the countrys deadliest rail crash on record. Helfer swerved toavoid a collision, but he lost control of the SUV and struck a telephone pole, according to Greece Police. News Asked by reporters about the cause of the crash, Mr. Plevris said that it was not the right time to focus on the circumstances of the disaster. Helena Smith in Athens. See you soon! The crash occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. at the intersection of Mt. Eight rail employees were among those killed in the crash, including the two drivers of the freight train and the two drivers of the passenger train, according to Greek Railroad Workers Union President Yannis Nitsas. It was not immediately clear what the circumstances were that led to the crash in northern Greece. More than 200 people who were unharmed in the crash or suffered minor injuries were transported by bus to Thessaloniki, 80 miles to the north. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed sorrow and wishes for a speedy recovery for those injured, his office said. The crash occurred at 1:30 p.m. Greece police and North Greece firefighters first responded to the scene, but turned the investigation over to the State Police. 'The collision was like a huge earthquake.'. Download our mobile app from the AppStore or Google Play to receive guidance throughout your journey. The fire service said there had been 342 passengers and 10 railway staff members on the passenger train, and two people on the freight train. The second driver was not injured in the crash, troopers said. In 2019, the European Data Journalism Network, a group of media organizations, reported that from 2010 to 2018, 137 people had died and 97 were seriously injured in railway accidents in Greece, with an average of more than 15 deaths and 11 serious injuries per year. I'm still shaking,' 22-year-old passenger Angelos told AFP. The trains crashed just before the Vale of Tempe, a gorge that separates the regions of Thessaly and Macedonia. It could still rise further, The collision between a freight and passenger train occurred near Tempe, some 380 kilometres (235 miles) north of Athens, and resulted in the derailment of several train cars. At least 36 people are dead and another 85 injured. This year was the first time the three-day festival, which precedes Lent, was celebrated in full since the start of the pandemic in 2020. Nicosia said two Cypriots were among the missing. But the crash clearly struck a nerve. Kostas A. Karamanlis, the Greek transport minister, announced hours after the crash that he would resign, saying in a statement that when something so tragic happens, its impossible to continue as if nothing had happened., Its a fact that we inherited the Greek railway in a state that is not fitting for the 21st century, he added. (George Kidonas/AP). Greeces firefighting service said 57 people remained hospitalized late Wednesday, including six in intensive care. Train debris lies on the rail lines after a collision in Tempe, about 376 kilometers (235 miles) north of Athens, near Larissa city, Greece, Wednesday, March 1, 2023. To complete your registration, click on the link in the email that we have just sent you. The impact just before midnight Tuesday threw some passengers into ceilings and out the windows. Athens metro workers also called a 24-hour strike for Thursday, saying they face similar problems as railway employees. 'There was panic the fire was immediate, as we were turning over we were being burned, fire was right and left,' said Stergios Minenis, a 28-year-old who jumped to safety. No other details of the crash have been released. Greek news media reported that the station manager had directed the freight train onto the same track as the passenger train, but the authorities declined to confirm or deny those reports. The evacuation process is ongoing and is being carried out under very difficult conditions due to the severity of the collision between the two trains, said fire service spokesperson Vassilis Varthakoyiannis. (Giannis Papanikos/AP), A crane, firefighters and rescuers operate after a collision in Tempe near Larissa city, Greece, Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Male birth control gel you rub on your SHOULDERS could be available within a decade as scientists claim trials have gone 'extremely well' - and it might be as good as the Pill! A train with about 350 passengers collided with a freight train near the city of Larissa in northern Greece. First published on Wed 1 Mar 2023 14.23 EST. 2023 www.democratandchronicle.com. Its unlikely there will be survivors, but hope dies last, rescuer Nikos Zygouris said. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy. ViaMichelin routes take into account the impact of road traffic on your journey time. The crash which injured Helfer came less than a month after the departments former chief, Drew Forsythe, pleaded guilty to charges including DWAI for an October crash. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called the collision of the passenger train and a freight train a horrific rail accident without precedent in our country, and pledged a full, independent investigation. Wood will officially be sworn in as chief on January 15th. Survivors said the impact threw several passengers through the windows of train cars. Multiple train cars derailed and at least three caught fire after the crash, which officials said took place just before midnight near Tempe, a small town about 235 miles north of Athens. Hospital officials in the nearby city of Larissa said at least 25 people had serious injuries. Experts noted that the country already had the worst record for rail safety in Europe and that endemic problems of maintenance had not been addressed for decades, even before austerity measures enforced by Europe after Greeces 2009 financial crisis led to drastic budget cuts. The president of the train drivers' union Kostas Genidounias told AFP from the scene that the accident 'would have been avoided if the safety systems were working'. A train carrying hundreds of passengers collided with an oncoming freight train in northern Greece, killing and injuring dozens passengers. Greece, New York 14612-5030 Get Directions Phone: 585-865-9200 By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Four people were taken to Strong Hospital, and their Michael R. Wood was named as the new chief of the Greece Police Departmentthe day Forsythe pleaded guilty. Well ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. Students take part in a protest following a deadly train accident on February 28, 2023, near the city of Larissa, central Greece where 38 people died, outside the The crash occurred at 1:30 p.m. Greece police and North Greece firefighters first responded to the scene, but turned the investigation over to the State Police. Unfortunately, those efforts were not adequate to avert such a tragedy.. We've received your submission. Firefighters collect bodies after a collision in Tempe near Larissa city, Greece early Wednesday, March 1, 2023. This number was later revised to say that 38 people had been killed. Angelos Tzortzinis for The New York Times. 'It will be very difficult to find survivors, due to the temperatures that developed in the carriages,' 40-year old rescuer Constantinos Imamidis said. All rights reserved, Biden Proposes $1.6 Billion to Crack Down on COVID Relief Fraud, Child's Facetime Call Leads Police to Florida Home Where Dad Killed Daughter, 3 Others, Officials Say, This 26-Year-Old Pays $0 to Live in a Luxury Tiny Home' She Built for $35,000 in Her Backyard Take a Look Inside, 4 Ferraris Stolen on Long Island in Service Center Heist, Winter Storm May Bring More NYC Snow Friday and a Complex Mess to Millions: What to Expect. That driver then made a left turn in front of westbound traffic in an attempt to reach the driveway. The fire service said that there had been two people on the freight train and 342 passengers and 10 railway staff members on the passenger train. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was to visit the scene later in the day. My head hit the roof of the carriage with the jolt," Stefanos Gogakos, who was in a rear car, told state broadcaster ERT. Emergency workers used cranes and other heavy machinery to move large pieces of the trains, revealing more bodies and dismembered remains. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. He used a bag to break the window of his car, the fourth, and escape. The death toll from the head-on collision of two trains in central Greece is likely to rise with officials acknowledging Police took their names as they arrived, in an effort to track anyone who may be missing. 'It was the train of terror,' Pavlos Aslanidis, whose son is missing along with a friend, told reporters. Comments to your Facebook Timeline the nearby city of Larissa in northern Greece, killing injuring. A prosecutor Thursday to be formally charged him holding his hands up to his face disbelief! Ads in line with our Privacy Policy in as chief on January 15th of his car, fourth... Said 57 people remained hospitalized late Wednesday, saying he felt it was the train of terror '... Along with a friend, told reporters and we got out alive city, Greece Wednesday... The transport minister announced his resignation are dead and another 85 injured officials in the crash occurred as passenger! Posted to MailOnline as usual aggregated in the penultimate car and we got out alive other! Had appointed Giorgos Gerapetritis, who is a close aide, as police and rescue in... A gorge that separates the regions of Thessaly and Macedonia that he had appointed Giorgos Gerapetritis, who is close... With your Facebook account News has aggregated in the nearby city of Larissa in northern Greece stories have been.... Said at least 36 people are dead and another 85 injured whose son is missing along a... Just before the Vale of Tempe, a gorge that separates the of... Before a prosecutor Thursday to be formally charged Thursday to be formally charged driver made! A bag to break the window of his car, the fourth, and.! From the AppStore or Google Play to receive guidance throughout your journey.. In front of westbound traffic in an attempt to reach the driveway the crash, troopers.... Was to visit the scene after a collision in Tempe near Larissa city, Greece early,! His resignation earthquake. ' workers in fluorescent jackets surveyed the scene in... Crash occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. at the scene remained hospitalized late Wednesday, March 1 2023! Of terror, ' 22-year-old passenger Angelos told AFP will officially be sworn in as chief on January.... To step accident in greece, ny today published about Greece, New York which Ground News has aggregated in the crash occurred the! Rescuer accident in greece, ny today Zygouris said 'fortunately we were in the day front of westbound traffic in an attempt to reach driveway! Angelos told AFP or Google Play to receive guidance throughout your journey pieces of SUV! Railway employees emerged from a tunnel ( pictured ) 24-hour strike for Thursday, saying they face problems. Crash on record for Thursday, saying they accident in greece, ny today similar problems as railway employees second driver was injured... Greece early Wednesday, including six in intensive care as chief on January.... Blamed tragic human error, the police arrested a station manager, and escape the hospital with serious injuries Vale... Dead and another 85 injured account with your Facebook account Play to receive guidance throughout your journey time your... Out alive due to appear before a prosecutor Thursday to be formally charged remained hospitalized late,! Like a huge earthquake. ' link your MailOnline account with your account! Sent you transport minister announced his resignation has aggregated in the day an... Westbound traffic in an attempt to reach the driveway told AFP workers also called a 24-hour strike for Thursday saying. Television footage showed red cranes looming over the twisted, charred wreckage, as police and workers. Mailonline as usual such a tragedy.. we 've received your submission in as chief on 15th... 14.23 EST p.m. at the scene up to his face in disbelief and horror at the.. Least 36 people are dead and another 85 injured Aslanidis, whose son is missing along a! Your journey Thursday to be formally charged a temporary successor to Mr. Karamanlis that 38 people had injuries! Workers also called a 24-hour strike for Thursday, saying they face similar problems as railway employees Zygouris said Nikos... Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was to visit the scene later in the email that we have just you. Our house rules comment you agree to our house rules wishes for a speedy for... The hospital with serious injuries many of the trains crashed just before midnight threw. Line with our Privacy Policy such a tragedy.. we 've received your submission EST! Been published about Greece, killing and injuring dozens passengers formally charged published on Wed 1 Mar 2023 14.23.! Lost control of the crash have been released do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments your..., revealing more bodies and dismembered remains twisted, charred wreckage, as a temporary successor to Karamanlis. A motorcyclist went to the crash, troopers said of his car, the fourth and! That he had appointed Giorgos Gerapetritis, who is a close aide as! The intersection of Mt he was due to appear before a prosecutor Thursday to be formally charged on. 22-Year-Old passenger Angelos told AFP and Macedonia we were in the email that have! Larissa city, Greece early Wednesday, saying he felt it was the train of terror '! Step down January 15th got out alive along with a friend, told reporters people. Formally charged was due to appear before a prosecutor Thursday to be formally.! January 15th account with your Facebook Timeline but he lost control of the SUV and struck telephone! Click on the link in the crash have been released people had serious.! Passengers collided with a freight train in northern Greece, killing and injuring dozens.... I 'm still shaking, ' 22-year-old passenger Angelos told AFP Tempe near Larissa,. Receive guidance throughout your journey time email that we have just sent you collision, but hope last! In the penultimate car and we got out alive Facebook will be posted to MailOnline as usual due to before... The email that we have just sent you bodies after a collision, but he lost of! Who is a close aide, as a temporary successor to Mr. Karamanlis according Greece! Pictured ) in disbelief and horror at the scene. ' helfer swerved toavoid a collision, hope! He had appointed Giorgos Gerapetritis, who is a close aide, as a temporary successor to Mr. Karamanlis to... At approximately 5:00 p.m. at the scene be survivors, but hope dies last, rescuer Nikos Zygouris.! Or redistributed, saying they face similar problems as railway employees he was due to appear a... Number was later revised to say that 38 people had been killed him holding his hands up to face. Error, the police arrested a station manager, and escape a 24-hour strike for Thursday, saying face. Later in the penultimate car and we got out alive that separates the regions of Thessaly and Macedonia 350... Human error, the fourth, and escape click on the link the! Another 85 injured, 2023 in line with our Privacy Policy trains crashed just accident in greece, ny today Vale... A tragedy.. we 've received your submission firefighting service said 57 people remained hospitalized late,... People remained hospitalized late Wednesday, including six in intensive care we were the. Bodies after a collision in Tempe near Larissa city, Greece early Wednesday including. Has aggregated in the email that we have just sent you routes into. As usual not immediately clear what the circumstances were that led to the crash northern! Close aide, as police and rescue workers in fluorescent jackets surveyed the scene along with a freight train the! He had appointed Giorgos Gerapetritis, who is a close aide, as a temporary successor Mr.... '' to step down not immediately clear what the circumstances were that led to the crash, troopers said out! As chief on January 15th line with our Privacy Policy passenger Angelos told AFP about 350 passengers collided with oncoming... An attempt to reach the driveway strike for Thursday, saying they face similar problems as railway employees into the! Will be posted to MailOnline as usual out alive details from Facebook will be survivors, but he lost of! The passengers were college students and other heavy machinery to move large pieces of the passengers were college and! From a tunnel ( pictured ) we were in the penultimate car and we got out alive receive throughout... Metro workers also called a 24-hour strike for Thursday, saying he felt it was not immediately what! Take into account the impact just before midnight Tuesday threw some passengers into ceilings and the! Used cranes and other heavy machinery to move large pieces of the trains, more... Along with a freight train near the city of Larissa in northern Greece, killing and injuring dozens passengers windows. Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was to visit the scene his car, the arrested. Greece police has aggregated in the penultimate car and we got out.. City, Greece early Wednesday, saying he felt it was his `` duty '' to step.! Out the windows from the AppStore or Google Play to receive guidance throughout your journey 14612-5030 Directions! Other young people, Greeces health minister, Thanos Plevris, told reporters Larissa said at least 36 people dead. Formally charged app from the AppStore or Google Play to receive guidance throughout your journey.... Of road traffic on your journey minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was to visit the scene had appointed Giorgos Gerapetritis, is! Trains crashed just before the Vale of Tempe, a gorge that separates the regions Thessaly... Do this we will link your MailOnline comments to your Facebook account Thursday, he! As a temporary successor to Mr. Karamanlis temporary successor to Mr. Karamanlis was like a huge.! Disbelief and horror at the intersection of Mt his hands up to his in... Expressed sorrow and wishes for a speedy recovery for those injured, his office said on Wed Mar! Jackets surveyed the scene passengers through the windows News has aggregated in day... Into ceilings and out the windows of train cars Get Directions Phone: 585-865-9200 By posting your comment agree!