On Friday, February 28, the Archdiocese of Athens will hold a Trisagion service in all its Holy Temples to honor the memory of the victims of the Tempi train disaster, marking two years since the tragic event.
In an official encyclical sent to its clergy, the Archdiocese urged priests to support the families of the victims and pray for the repose of their souls. As part of this initiative, a special memorial service will take place at 10:00 AM, with a specific prayer to be recited for the victims: “We also pray for the blessed memory and eternal repose of the souls of all our forcibly departed brothers and sisters during the railway accident in the area of Tempi, and for their forgiveness of every misdemeanor, voluntary and involuntary.”
Beyond Athens, other Metropolises of the Church of Greece have also announced memorial services in honor of the 57 lives lost in the devastating Tempi accident. These initiatives aim to offer spiritual support and remembrance, ensuring that the victims of the tragedy are not forgotten.
What happened in Tempi
It is recalled that on February 28, 2023, a tragic head-on collision occurred between two trains south of the Tempi Valley in Greece.
The collision involved the InterCity 62 (IC62) passenger train and an intermodal freight train, resulting in the loss of at least 57 lives, among an official count of 342 passengers. Several factors contributed to the accident, including the failure to implement the European Train Control System (ETCS) as originally scheduled for 2020, with its deployment delayed until late 2023.
Additionally, in 2019, telematics in Larissa ceased functioning due to a summer wildfire and remained unresolved. This collision marked a tragic culmination following a series of other rail incidents that fortunately had no casualties.
Accountability still pending for Tempi train crash
According to politico.eu, as of January 27, 2025, no ministers or high-ranking officials have been brought before the court in connection with the Tempi train crash that occurred on February 28, 2023. The European Public Prosecutor’s Office had recommended action against two former transport ministers, but the Greek government dismissed this call.
In response, families of the victims have been actively seeking justice. On May 16, 2023, relatives filed a criminal lawsuit against Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and other officials.
Additionally, there are plans for a nationwide general strike on February 28, 2025, the exact date marking two years since the disaster. The strike aims to honor the victims and press for a thorough investigation into the causes of the accident. Air traffic controllers have confirmed their participation, which will result in the grounding of commercial flights to and from Greece on that day.
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas / Photo: EUROKINISSI