Messages of solidarity continue to come following the train collision tragedy in Greece.
Writing on Twitter, the Indian Embassy in Greece wrote: "Deeply saddened by the tragic trains accident near Larissa (Greece). We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and praying for speedy recovery of injured passengers."
Deeply saddened by the tragic trains accident near Larissa (Greece). We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and praying for speedy recovery of injured passengers.@GreeceMFA
— India in Greece (@EmbIndiaAthens) March 1, 2023
"We are extremely saddened by the terrible train accident near Larissa. We offer our sincere condolences to all those impacted by the terrible events. Ειλικρινή συλλυπητήρια," the Irish Embassy wrote in a tweet.
If you are an Irish citizen in Greece and you have been impacted by the events overnight, please contact the Embassy at +302107232771
— Irish Embassy Athens (@IrlEmbAthens) March 1, 2023
"I was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic collision of the two trains at Tempi. I share the grief of friendly Greece. I wish a speedy recovery to all the injured. Strength and patience to the relatives of the victims and to the fraternal people of Greece," Armenian Ambassador Tigran Mkrtchyan tweeted.
https://twitter.com/TMkrtchyan/status/1630887520698347523
"We are devastated by the news of the tragic accident in which dozens of civilians lost their lives. We express our sincerest condolences to the families of the victims and wish the injured a speedy recovery. Our thoughts and hearts are with you," the Serbian Embassy tweeted.
Είμαστε συντετριμμένοι από την είδηση του τραγικού δυστυχήματος στο οποίο έχασαν τη ζωή τους δεκάδες πολίτες. Εκφράζουμε τα πλέον ειλικρινά συλλυπητήρια στις οικογένειας των θυμάτων και ευχόμαστε γρήγορη ανάρρωση στους τραυματίες. Η σκέψη μας και η καρδιά μας είναι κοντά σας. pic.twitter.com/OchoyknmdQ
— Serbia in Greece (@SRBinGreece) March 1, 2023
Earlier, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the scene of the crash in Tempi, near Larissa.
Mitsotakis saw the devastation for himself as he walked past the derailed train carriages, in which survivors hours earlier broke windows to escape.
Speaking to reporters, he said: "Our thoughts today are first and foremost with the relatives of the victims.
"Our duty is to treat the wounded and from there to identify the bodies."
He added: "I can guarantee we will find out the causes of this tragedy and do everything in our power to make sure it never happens again."
A local station master, based at Larissa, has been arrested. He has been charged with manslaughter by negligence and grievous bodily harm by negligence, but denies any wrongdoing.
Rail unions say there have been long running problems with electronic systems that are supposed to warn drivers of danger ahead.
One survivor told Reuters "we heard a big bang", adding: "For 10,15 seconds it was chaos."
Stergios Minenis described the scene as: "Tumbling over, fires, cables hanging, broken windows, people screaming, people trapped."
Another survivor, Lazos, told the newspaper Proto Thema: "I wasn't hurt, but I was stained with blood from other people who were injured near me."
Greece will pay for the funerals of those who died in the train crash, the Greek government has announced.
The decision to pay for the services at public expense was taken by the minister of the interior Makis Voridis and minister of finance Christos Staikouras, according to local media.
So far, the authorities have confirmed the deaths of 36 people.
Flags on all public buildings in the country are flying at half mast and public events have been suspended as part of three days of national mourning.
We also heard earlier from a government spokesperson, Giannis Oikonomou, who said the priority is now treating the injured and supporting the relatives of victims.
"We express our deepest sorrow for the tragic train accident in Tempi", he said, adding: "This is an unspeakable tragedy."
Oikonomou said the government's thoughts were with those affected and confirmed psychologists were heading to Larissa.
"Our priority now is treating the injured, searching and finding missing people in the debris and offering psychological support to the relatives of the victims. by psychologists who are heading to the Larissa city."
The President of Greece, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, has described the train crash as an "unimaginable tragedy".
Local media reported Sakellaropoulou said in a statement: "We are facing an unimaginable tragedy, we mourn mainly young people.
"We share the pain of those who have lost their loved ones, although we know that their pain is so great that no comforting words can ease it. We are fighting for the injured and hope they get well soon.
"We thank the rescue crews and the medical staff, who give all their strength to the extrication and rescue operations. I express my deep sorrow and sympathy to the families of the victims. We are by their side."
The president was an official trip to Moldova, but has now cut the trip short to visit the crash site.
READ MORE: Could the Greek train collision have been avoided?
