Athens, Greece - A report released Thursday by the Hellenic Train operator (OSE) places blame on two stationmasters for a near-collision between passenger trains on September 13th. The incident occurred near Aghii Anargyri station in northwest Athens, on a single-track section with no light signals.
The report details how the first stationmaster, responsible for monitoring train movements, left her post to use the restroom. Her colleague, who filled in temporarily, was not briefed on the status of the trains. This resulted in the stationmaster giving the go-ahead to a train arriving from Kiato, which was supposed to wait at Aghii Anargyri for an oncoming train traveling from Athens to the city's airport.
Disaster was narrowly averted thanks to the quick thinking of both train drivers. Hearing the conflicting instructions over the radio, they realized the danger and brought their trains to a halt, narrowly avoiding a head-on collision.
This near miss is the latest in a string of incidents plaguing the Greek railway system, highlighting its ongoing struggles with outdated infrastructure and a lack of modern safety systems. Just last week, a suburban train came dangerously close to entering the metro network at Doukissis Plakentias.
The OSE report has been submitted to the Railway Regulatory Authority and the Railway Accident Investigation Board for further review. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for modernization and improved safety protocols within the Greek railway network, especially in light of the tragic February 28th, 2023 accident where a passenger train collided with a freight train, resulting in significant loss of life.
