Names of Greece Train Accident Victims Released as Death Toll Rises to 38

In a tragic incident that has shocked the nation, a passenger train collided with a freight train in northern Greece early Wednesday morning, resulting in at least 32 fatalities and 85 injuries, according to Fire Service officials. The collision occurred near Tempe, located approximately 380 kilometers (235 miles) north of Athens.

In the aftermath of the accident, hospital officials in nearby Larissa reported that at least 85 people had sustained serious injuries. Despite the difficult conditions at the scene of the accident, emergency responders worked tirelessly to evacuate survivors, alert hospital units to treat burn victims, and transport the injured to hospitals for medical attention.

Rescuers wearing head lamps worked in thick smoke, pulling pieces of mangled metal from the rail cars to search for trapped people. Passengers who received minor injuries or were unharmed were transported by bus to Thessaloniki, located 130 kilometers (80 miles) north of the incident.

The collision caused multiple cars to derail, and at least three caught fire, creating an incredibly challenging environment for emergency responders. Fire Service spokesman Vassilis Varthakoyiannis called the evacuation process “ongoing” and described it as “being carried out under very difficult conditions due to the severity of the collision between the two trains.”

In an effort to track anyone who may be missing, police took the names of passengers who arrived in Thessaloniki by bus. According to a teenage survivor who did not give his name, just before the crash, he felt a strong braking and saw sparks before there was a sudden stop. He said that his carriage did not derail, but the ones in front of him did and were smashed, with the first car catching fire. He had to break the window of his car, the fourth, to escape.

In comments to state television, Costas Agorastos, the regional governor of the Thessaly area, described the collision as “very powerful” and said it was “a terrible night.” He added that the front section of the train was smashed and debris was flung all around the crash site.

Officials said that the army had been contacted to assist with the aftermath of the incident. Rail operator Hellenic Train said that the northbound passenger train from Athens to Thessaloniki had approximately 350 passengers on board when the collision occurred.

The list of the names of the injured in the hospitals has been made public after the deadly tragedy in Tempi. The country mourns the loss of life and sends thoughts and prayers to those who have been injured or impacted by this devastating incident.

Investigations into the cause of the accident are ongoing, and we will continue to bring you the latest updates as they become available.