By Alexia Angelopoulou and Takis Tsafos

Athens (Greece) - Even in times of severe financial crisis, there have never been such large demonstrations : Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets across Greece to commemorate the serious train crash in Tempi two years ago that left 57 people dead. They are calling on the government to clarify the situation and punish those responsible.

According to the police, around 170,000 people protested in Athens alone. After the event ended, hundreds of autonomous protesters and hooligans rioted and fought street battles with the police.

People are accusing the government of failing to properly investigate the circumstances surrounding the head-on collision between a freight train and a passenger train in Tempi on February 28, 2023. "No to cover-ups" and "We will not forget" were written on the demonstrators' placards.

This week, an official report by the Air and Rail Accident Investigation Board was presented for the first time in two years. The report talks about the desolate state of the Greek railroads and the lack of qualifications of the railroad manager, who had sent one of the trains onto the wrong track.

The barely functional safety technology on the line was also cited.

The authorities also found serious investigative errors following the accident. For example, the accident site had not been mapped correctly and the fire department, rescue services and police had not coordinated their operations.

Evidence had been lost or destroyed as a result - including when part of the accident site was cemented so that cranes could be installed to move the wrecked wagons. The report did not specify whether a flammable hazardous substance was actually being transported on board the freight train, as the families of the victims suspect.

Following the demonstrations in Athens and Thessaloniki, there were clashes between autonomous protesters and the police. According to police reports, between 500 and 700 hooded demonstrators rioted and hurled incendiary devices in Athens alone. Officers used tear gas and water cannons. There were 20 arrests and 70 people were taken into custody.

13 people, including police officers, were injured and taken to hospital, reported the news channel ERTnews, citing rescue workers. The injuries were burns and respiratory problems, but no one's life was in danger, it said.