Tempi tragedy: Audacity, Disclaimer are Greek Ministers’ traits

Feb 13, 2024

For former Transportation Minister Achileas Karamanlis sole responsible for the tragic train collision in Tempi on February 28, 2023, was the “human error” and the “Greek public sector.” He bore no responsibility whatsoever, even though he was Transportation & Infrastructure Minister since July 2019.

Appearing at the Parliament committee investigating the tragedy, Karamanlis spent almost half an hour playing a provocative blame-game, pointing the finger at everyone and throwing blame left and right, in order to emerge himself as an ‘innocent dove’ from the ruins of two trains and 57 souls.

No apology, no responsibility.

Playing with words, the former minister claimed about the an out-of court document train workers had sent him a month before the train collision and warning him about safety in the rail network:

“The document did not say that the railroad was unsafe. Did you know what it said? That we had safety issues.”

Among others, he also criticized victims’ families for demanding loud justice.

“I spoke with many families and you know what? They mourn in silence.”

He remained stuck to the government favorite argument of “human error” and claimed that “even if all safety measures would operate, the tragedy would not have been averted.”

His claim contradicts the Gerapetritis investigation findings  that investigated the causes of the train collision that cost the lives of 57 mostly young people and injured over 100.

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“While he [Karamanlis] knew everything, he nevertheless did not establish national safety rules for railway safety. While he knew the remote control on Larissa was broken, he did nothing to fix it. He went so far as to question the Gerapetritis committee finding,” said investigating member of SYRIZA, MP Vassilis Kokalis.

Karamanlis claimed also that he had no idea that 210 people from his hometown Serres in northern Greece, were hired by the OSE Train Infrastructure company outside the ASEP recruitment framework of exams for  the public sector.

The Minister was forced to resign a day after the tragedy, but his loyal voters in Serres elected him again six months later for a well “deserved” seat in the Greek Parliament.

PS What is the purpose of safety rules and tools, then? What is a minister’s responsibility, other than obligations by law to fix things and secure people’s safety?

Fck fake logic of Greek politicians… and the one of their voters, too.

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