Condolences from abroad, including from Ukraine and Russia, continue to pour in after the tragic train accident near Larissa that killed over 40 people.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sent his message in Greek about the tragedy unfolding in Larissa after the collision of the two trains that resulted in the loss of at least 40 lives.
"My deepest condolences to the Greek government and the Greek people for the loss of life in the train collision in Northern Greece. The people of Ukraine share the pain of the victims' families. We wish a speedy recovery to all the injured," he said.
Τα θερμά μου συλλυπητήρια στην @PresidencyGR και στον ελληνικό λαό για την απώλεια ζωών από τη σύγκρουση τρένων στη Βόρεια Ελλάδα. Ο λαός της Ουκρανίας συμμερίζεται τον πόνο των οικογενειών των θυμάτων. Ευχόμαστε ταχεία ανάρρωση σε όλους τους τραυματίες.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 1, 2023
Condolences to the Greek people and the families of the victims were also expressed by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs through spokesperson Maria Zakharova.
"It is with deep sadness and pain that the news of the tragedy in northern Greece became known in Russia, where on the night of March 1 at a railway junction between Larissa and Thessaloniki, as a result of a head-on collision between a passenger and a commercial train, more than thirty people were killed and dozens were injured," she said.
"In these difficult times, we express our most sincere condolences to the Greek people, primarily to the families who lost loved ones. We wish the injured a speedy recovery," the spokesperson added.
European Council President Charles Michel on Wednesday sent his condolences to the families of the victims of the tragic train accident in Greece.
"My thoughts are with the people of Greece this morning", he said in a post on Twitter, adding in Greek that he is shocked by the news and the pictures of the collision of the two trains in Tempi, while wishing the rescue crews strength and courage to continue their difficult work and sending condolences to the families of the victims of the tragic accident.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in a post on Twitter on Wednesday, stated: "My thoughts are with the people of Greece after the terrible train accident that claimed so many lives last night near Larissa.The whole of Europe is mourning with you. I also wish for a speedy recovery for all the injured," adding in Greek, "we are at your side" (Eimaste dipla sas).
The president of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola, in a post on Twitter on Wednesday, expressed her condolences for the train accident in Tempi.
"Deeply saddened by the terrible train crash near Larissa in Greece. My sincere condolences to all the victims, their families and friends. Grateful to all rescuers and medical staff on site. Our thoughts are with the people of Greece after this tragic event," she said.
Meanwhile, The causes of the tragic train accident at Evangelismos near Tempi will be fully investigated with complete seriousness and transparency, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Kostas Karamanlis stressed on Wednesday.
"Nothing will be swept under the rug. Today is a truly sorrowful day. All of us who are here express our anguish and sorrow. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families," Karamanlis said, clearly moved.
The minister arrived at the site of the accident and, after being briefed on the efforts to locate people in the wreckage, asked for everyone to stay calm and respect these difficult moments.
He also expressed his condolences to the families that lost their loved ones in the train tragedy, while noting that the number of victims had not yet been finalised.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis arrived at the Tempi Valley, the site of the deadly train accident, on Wednesday in order to be briefed on the developments so far by the heads of the search-and-rescue operation that is underway.
Mitsotakis was accompanied by Infrastructure and Transport Minister Kostas Karamanlis, Citizen Protection Minister Takis Theodorikakos and government spokesperson Yiannis Economou.
"Our thoughts are firstly and above all with the victims' families and on treating the injured, on identifying the bodies. One thing I can guarantee: we will find out the causes of the tragedy and we will do everything we possibly can to ensure that nothing of the sort ever happens again," stated Mitsotakis.
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