Fresh Inquiry into Tempi Tragedy: Suspicious Cargo and Delayed Investigations Raise Questions

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Nearly two years after the catastrophic railway collision in Tempi, which claimed 57 lives and left dozens injured, judicial authorities have intensified their investigation, scrutinising video footage for evidence of dangerous cargo that may have contributed to the explosion following the crash.

This significant development follows criticism of delays, alleged evidence tampering, and claims of negligence in handling the case.

The Tragedy and Initial Concerns
On 28 February 2023, a passenger train operated by “Hellenic Train” collided head-on with a freight train near Evangelismos, Larissa. The collision resulted in a devastating fireball, reportedly causing the deaths of five to seven passengers who were trapped and burned alive. In the aftermath, questions arose about the freight train’s cargo, with speculation that an unrecorded, hazardous load may have played a role in the explosion.

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Legal representatives for victims’ families requested video footage of the freight train’s loading process in Thessaloniki as early as March 2023. However, their appeal was only granted weeks later, by which time the critical footage was reportedly overwritten or obscured by subsequent recordings.

Missing Footage and Delayed Action
In May 2023, judicial officials sought camera recordings from the rail network’s managing company, which provided 14 CDs purportedly documenting the freight train’s loading and journey. These materials were analysed in the UK and at the Forensic Laboratories of the Hellenic Police, but investigators found no substantial evidence regarding the freight train’s cargo. Crucially, footage from the Thessaloniki engine room, where the train was loaded, was absent.

tempi5It is only in recent days—nearly 21 months after the incident—that judicial authorities revisited Thessaloniki to seize any remaining video recordings directly from the engine room. Experts warn, however, that such delays have likely rendered any potential evidence irretrievable.

Broader Investigative Challenges
The handling of the investigation has drawn intense scrutiny. Reports have surfaced of:

Evidence tampering: Allegations of edited audio recordings and alterations to the crash site.
Neglected forensic leads: Long delays in analysing video and physical evidence.
Incomplete expert reports: Findings from the National Technical University of Athens on the explosion’s causes remain pending nine months after being commissioned.
Moreover, a video from a road camera in Leptokarya, released in March 2023, was only sent for forensic analysis 20 months later. This video, while showing a freight train with unclear details, has been described as inconclusive in determining the nature of the cargo or its role in the explosion.

Expert Commentary
Legal experts and technical advisers have expressed frustration at the investigation’s slow progress. One lawyer remarked, “The loss of critical footage and repeated delays highlight systemic failures. Any chance of uncovering the truth about the cargo is now slim.”

Another expert added, “Government officials have placed undue emphasis on ambiguous evidence, likely to divert attention from broader accountability issues.”

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Looking Ahead
As the investigation drags on, the families of the victims continue to demand answers about the tragedy. They seek accountability for those responsible and transparency in addressing the suspected lapses that have clouded the case from the start.

(Source: In.gr)20