Government Firmly Denies Cover-Up Allegations in Tempe Train Disaster Case

The government has firmly denied opposition allegations of a cover-up concerning the catastrophic train crash in Tempe, central Greece, which occurred in late February 2028.

During a plenary session of the Greek Parliament on March 26, 2024, government representatives addressed these claims amidst debates over a no-confidence vote brought forward by opposition parties, questioning the government’s management of the disaster.

Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis refuted accusations suggesting that Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was behind a cover-up, stating that the government’s main focus is to let the judicial process proceed without interference. He asserted, “If the government had intentions to conceal information, we would exert pressure on the justice system to hasten the process,” and noted the emergence of crucial evidence, such as a report from the National Technical University of Athens.

Justice Minister Giorgos Floridis supported Marinakis’ remarks, clarifying that the government does not control the timeline of the ongoing investigation. He pointed out that out of 300 requests made by the victims’ families, 250 have been thoroughly assessed.

Despite these assurances, opposition parties, including PASOK, SYRIZA, and KKE, have intensely criticized the government, accusing it of hindering investigations and neglecting political responsibilities. PASOK’s Kostas Tsoukalas challenged the Prime Minister’s quick dismissal of the allegations, referring to conflicting evidence. Additionally, New Left leader Alexis Charitsis called for a no-confidence motion, alleging efforts to bar legal proceedings against political entities.

The controversy is expected to escalate as parliamentary discussions are set to continue in the coming week.