Greek transport minister announces safety measures to improve national railway system

Greece's Minister of Transport, Giorgos Gerapetritis stated that February's tragic prepare crash wouldn't have occurred if there had been a whole rail telecommunications system within the nation at a press convention on Wednesday.

His feedback got here amid an announcement on new rail security measures which can improve the community's safety system and expertise.

The recently-appointed Gerapetritis additionally expressed his sorrow for the "unprecedented nationwide tragedy that has left its mark on us all".

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I need to once more apologise, as I've performed from the very first second I took workplace, on behalf of the federal government and myself, personally, to the households of the victims, to all Greek residents, for not with the ability to forestall this tragic accident. The apology is totally honest, not feigned, and doesn't try and deflect any actual accountability."

Giorgos Gerapetritis

Transport Minister

The minister praised the efforts of the railway employees, who're prepared to do all the things of their energy to improve security measures. He additionally stated that a stricter framework will likely be launched for vandalism and thefts involving the railway community.

On February 28, 57 individuals, a lot of them of their teenagers and 20s, had been killed when a northbound passenger prepare and a southbound freight prepare collided north of town of Larissa.

Greece’s railways have lengthy suffered from power mismanagement, together with lavish spending on tasks that had been ultimately deserted or considerably delayed.

 State railway firm Hellenic Railways reportedly delay upkeep work for years and had been billions of euros in debt.

The crash sparked worldwide outrage and 1000's of demonstrators have since marched in protests throughout the nation decrying the nation's battered railway grid. 

The previous minister, Kostas Karamanlis resigned whereas the federal government promised a full investigation into the crash.

The 59-year-old stationmaster who was on responsibility allegedly directed the 2 trains travelling in reverse instructions onto the identical observe, whereas the signalling system within the space malfunctioned six years in the past and was by no means repaired.

He was charged with negligent murder and jailed pending a trial on Sunday.

In the meantime, dozens of masked, black-clad protesters hurled Molotov cocktails and stones at riot police as greater than 40,000 took to the streets of the capital on Wednesday.

Clashes broke out between police and protesters in central Athens, as police fired tear fuel at firebomb-throwing protesters exterior parliament buildings.