Athens, April 27, 2025 – A distressing ordeal unfolded on Metro Line 3 Sunday when dozens of passengers, including tourists, were trapped in a stalled train in total darkness for over an hour following a suicide attempt at Evangelismos station.
The train, arriving from Athens International Airport, carried many visitors unfamiliar with Greek, lugging suitcases and struggling to understand the situation.
Passengers were eventually guided to evacuate by walking along the tracks through a dimly lit tunnel to Panormou station. “We were in the dark, with no clear updates from the authorities,” one passenger told Mega TV. “We followed others, carrying luggage, with families pushing strollers. The path was treacherous—broken slabs, gaps, and no lighting. I used my phone’s flashlight to avoid tripping. It was chaotic and scary.”
Videos captured the evacuation, showing passengers navigating the tracks, some visibly shaken. The injured individual from the initial incident was rescued by firefighters and taken to a hospital.
Athens Urban Rail Station (STASY) explained that a train reversal between Katechaki and Panormou was initiated per protocol after the suicide attempt. A power outage occurred during the process, and some passengers triggered emergency door releases. STASY stated that power was cut for safety, and the evacuation was conducted under the supervision of the driver and stationmaster, adhering strictly to safety protocols.
The incident has raised concerns about communication and safety measures for passengers, especially tourists, during such disruptions.